A U-developed computer model will help detect possible bioterrorist attacks during the Olympic Games. Using medical records from some of U’s clinics, the model can detect disease patterns that resemble a bioterrorist attack.
The model retrieves medical data daily and creates reports used to identify an outbreak. Several clinicians and public health specialists will monitor the data and notify state health officials of any suspicious trends. Because the medical records are already in electronic form, the surveillance team can perform its analysis quickly because it does not have to manually enter data.
Dr. Kurt Hegmann, one of the primary developers, said they are implementing 50 different analyses that examine a range of symptoms?coughing, runny nose and vomiting. Based on these data, his team can track a number of infectious diseases, such as pneumonia and anthrax.
Hegmann declined to say when they began implementing the model, but said they will continue to monitor the data after the Olympics
“Definitely until the end of April,” Hegmann said. “Beyond that, it’s too far into the future to know.”
The type of model the U developed is often referred to as a bioterror surveillance system. It has become more prominent in the battle against bioterrorism, because the types of diseases bioterrorists may deploy are often difficult to detect. Diseases such as anthrax have symptoms similar to those of influenza and other common upper respiratory illnesses. Until a number of cases are examined together, an outbreak may go unnoticed.
A bioterror surveillance system can augment other methods of detection that are less feasible. Current technology cannot continuously monitor air samples. Existing detection devices can quickly identify an attack, but they work on a limited set of bioterrorist agents.
The U’s model is possible because its community clinics have implemented a new medical record system recently. The U purchased and installed the system, called EPIC, in May at its Greenwood, Redwood, Stansbury, Summit and Westridge locations. Because the system is comprehensive and integrated, it allows the type of analysis required for bioterror surveillance. Also, the five clinics receive 300,000 patients each year and their locations spread across the valley, making the community clinics ideal sampling sites.
“It covers a broad spectrum of the community in the valley,” said Dr. Julie Day, medical director of the U’s Redwood Community Clinic.
Day said the U has invested “heavily” in EPIC and it is the “gold standard” in medical record systems. In addition to creating a more paperless environment and allowing quick access to medical information, EPIC also ensures clinicians order necessary laboratory tests and prescribe proper dosage, thereby increasing safer care.
Health officials can also monitor epidemics using the EPIC system and similar techniques employed in the bioterror surveillance model. Infectious diseases not related to bioterrorism have reemerged as a prominent public health issue recently. Population density, antibiotic resistant bacteria and diseases such as AIDS have made infectious diseases more difficult to control.
The bioterror surveillance project received $25,000 from the Thrasher Research Fund, which is headquartered in Salt Lake City and promotes children’s health issues worldwide.