Syndromic Surveillance and Zip Code Data: The Role of Zip Codes in Understanding Populations

Syndromic surveillance systems use residential zip codes for spatial analysis to identify disease clusters. However, the use of emergency medical services can be influenced by geographic proximity, specialty services, and severity of illness. We evaluated zip codes reported to the Boston Public Health Commission’s syndromic surveillance system from 10 Boston emergency departments (EDs).

Objective

To examine the distribution of residential zip codes among patients in Boston EDs over a two month period to better understand how this type of spatial analysis may affect the sensitivity of syndromic surveillance.