Use of an electronic health record system for public health surveillance

Although development of computerized medical record systems in the United States is a high priority, there are relatively few instances of such systems supporting disease surveillance systems. The Indian Health Service (IHS) has had an electronic record database for over 30 years, however, implementation of point of care electronic health records (EHR) and use of these data for public health surveillance has begun only over the past 4 years.

Objective

To develop a robust, sensitive, and specific local, regional, and national public health surveillance system utilizing an electronic clinical information system.