Implementing a public web based GIS service for feedback of surveillance data on communicable diseases in Sweden

Abstract

Background: Surveillance data allow for analysis, providing public health officials and policymakers with a basis for long-term priorities and timely information on possible outbreaks for rapid response (data for action). In this article we describe the considerations and technology behind a newly introduced public web tool in Sweden for easy retrieval of county and national surveillance data on communicable diseases.

Timeliness of case reporting in the Swedish statutory surveillance of communicable diseases 1998–2002

“…The delays in reporting, between diagnosis and notification among the clinicians, imply that the motivation and inclination of reporting could, and needs to be, improved, which could be achieved by motivating and providing feedback to those who make reports (15,16,21).…”

Development of a Web-Based Integrated Birth Defects Surveillance System in New York State

“…Since the beginning of the 21st century, Web-based GIS systems have been developed with the rapid development of World Wide Web and Internet technology. 11,[29][30][31][32][33] Web-based GIS systems that perform most of the processes on the server do not require users to install and maintain GIS software on personal computers and require less expertise in GIS for users. The GIS components of our integrated Webbased birth defects surveillance system enable authorized users to map birth defect prevalence and infant mortality rates among children with birth defects for a selected geographic unit, monitor potential change of birth defect prevalence in time, and identify birth defect clusters in space and time.…”

New technologies in predicting, preventing and controlling emerging infectious diseases

“…9,26 In Sweden, a public web tool (http://www.smittskyddsinstitutet.se under Surveillance statistics) is available where timely county and national surveillance data for more than 50 communicable diseases can be openly accessed in the form of interactive maps, tables and trend curves. 28 Also, a centralized and dedicated electronic surveillance system was developed recently by the Ministry of Health of Saudi Arabia in order to monitor disease activity during the Hajj. The Healthcare Electronic Surveillance Network (HESN) allows for rapid outbreak detection, communication between the command center and the hospitals and response to a potential public health threat.…”