NC DETECT receives daily data files from emergency departments (ED), the statewide EMS data collection system, the statewide poison center, and veterinary laboratory test results. Included in these data are elements, which may contain Protected Health Information (PHI). It is the responsibility of NC DETECT to ensure that security of these data is managed during their entire life cycle, including receiving, loading, cleaning, storage, managing, reporting, user access, archiving, and destruction. A web interface is provided for users at state, regional and local levels to access syndromic surveillance reports, as well as reports for broader public health surveillance such as injury, occupational health, and disaster management.
Objective
This paper describes how the North Carolina Disease Event Tracking and Epidemiologic Collection Tool (NC DETECT) utilizes various methods of encryption and access control to protect sensitive patient data during both integration and reporting.