Development and deployment of tools for rapid response notification of Monkeypox exposure, exposure risk assessment and stratification, and symptom monitoring

Abstract

Objectives: Public health authorities recommend symptom monitoring of healthcare personnel (HCP) after defined exposures to monkeypox. We report on the rapid development and implementation of mobile responsive survey solutions for notification of possible exposure, exposure risk assessment and stratification, and symptom monitoring. Setting: An academic health center in Boston, Massachusetts, after admission of first diagnosed case of monkeypox in the United States during the current global outbreak. Participants: Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap) design and programmers, infection control, occupational health, and emergency preparedness specialists, and HCP with possible exposure to monkeypox. Interventions: Design and deployment of REDCap tools to identify HCP with possible exposure to monkeypox, to perform exposure risk assessment and stratification for postexposure prophylaxis (PEP), and to conduct symptom monitoring during the exposure window. Project enhancements included dashboards for HCP tracking and short message service (SMS text) reminders for symptom monitoring. Results: Tools to support the contact tracing and exposure investigation were deployed within 24 hours of identification of a patient with suspected monkeypox, with the full suite in production within 4 days of confirmation of the monkeypox diagnosis. Clinical follow-up of HCP was integrated into the design, and real-time versioning allowed for improvements in HCP symptom monitoring compliance and enhanced tracking. Conclusions: During the current monkeypox outbreak, timely and comprehensive evaluation of potential HCP exposures is necessary but presents logistical challenges. Rapid development of monkeypox-specific solutions using REDCap facilitated flexibility in design and approach, and integration of targeted clinical support enhanced functionality.

The Use of Contact Tracing Technologies for Infection Prevention and Control Purposes in Nosocomial Settings: A Systematic Literature Review

“…The different technologies, aims, populations and settings among the included studies are presented in Table 3 . In total, 7 of the 14 included studies investigated the use of proximity sensing technology [ 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 ], 6 reported analyses following the development/deployment of technologically enhanced contact tracing systems [ 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 ], while only 1 described the use of telephone interviews [ 32 ]. All studies were conducted in hospital settings, including departments at risk of infectious diseases/isolation rooms [ 19 , 23 ], paediatrics [ 21 , 24 , 28 ], emergency departments [ 20 , 28 ] and one study included additional data from a nursing home facility [ 22 ].…”

“…The system is based on the hospital information system (HIS), a REDCap questionnaire and Go.Data software; however, every case was confirmed by a phone call, making the workflow highly human-dependent. A similar approach was used by Simpson et al in the context of the global monkeypox outbreak in 2022 [ 31 ]. The authors report on the use of a REDCap project that included web-based forms, algorithmic risk classification and symptom-monitoring tools and alerts, making it possible to identify patients for postexposure prophylaxis (PEP).…”

Monkeypox

“…[ 66 ] Visual safety patients’ tools, computer programs, and website information have been developed to help nurses and emergency physicians to triage and manage MPXV patients. [ 47 67 68 69 ] Early case notification, data collection, valid scientific reporting, and community public health guidance through proper communication and media is essential for both prevention and recovery. [ 61 ] Vaccination is very effective in preventing infectious diseases and is part of the preparedness stage if indicated.…”

Healthcare workers’ worries and Monkeypox vaccine advocacy during the first month of the WHO Monkeypox alert: Cross-sectional survey in Saudi Arabia

“…On the other hand, the COVID-19 pandemic had facilitated many countries around the globe to develop rapid testing, isolation, and management [10]. Some countries had deployed Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap) design and programmers and infection control activities in response to (MOXV) outbreaks globally [12]. Amid The survey tool was adopted from our published research on COVID-19 with modifications related to the new Monkeypox outbreak [13][14][15][16][17].…”

“…On the other hand, the COVID-19 pandemic had facilitated many countries around the globe to develop rapid testing, isolation, and management[10]. Some countries had deployed Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap) design and programmers and infection control activities in response to (MOXV) outbreaks globally[12]. Amid these unknowns and the need to develop a global strategy to combat the emergence of (MOXV), we developed rapidly a survey directed towards HCWs in Saudi Arabia in order to examine their worries and Monkeypox vaccine advocacy during the first month of the WHO Monkeypox alert.…”