Maryland’s electronic surveillance system for the early notification of community-based epidemics (ESSENCE) data includes emergency department visits from all acute care hospitals, over-the-counter medication sales and poison control data that cover all jurisdictions in Maryland. Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) uses ESSENCE daily for the early detection of public health emergencies. DHMH also utilizes ESSENCE for other purposes including situational awareness during high security events, assistance with outbreak investigation and for the H1N1 pandemic.
Objective
The purpose of this paper is to describe how Maryland’s syndromic surveillance system, electronic surveillance system for the early notification of community-based epidemics (ESSENCE), has many utilities including identifying threats, case investigation and situational awareness.