Transcript Queen`s University Population and Public Health Research Day

Q
Dedicated to enhancing the health
and safety of Canadians through
public health informatics
Queen’s University Public Health Informatics (QPHI) Team
Can monitoring Telehealth Ontario enhance Public
Health surveillance?
Adam van Dijk
Institute of Population and Public Health’s Research Day
January 28th, 2008
www.quesst.ca
Syndromic Surveillance and Telehealth Ontario
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Real-time syndromic surveillance uses existing nontraditional data for prompt analysis and feedback to those
responsible for investigations and follow-up of potential
outbreaks
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Telehealth Ontario is a toll-free helpline available to all
residents of the province
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The system is available 24/7/365 with advice coming from
trained and experienced registered nurses who direct patients
to the most appropriate form of care
Q
Dedicated to enhancing the health
and safety of Canadians through
public health informatics
Monitoring real-time Telehealth Ontario data can
contribute to Public Health

The prompt detection of disease outbreaks is a major concern
to public health as it has the potential to reduce morbidity and
mortality
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The Ontario Pandemic Plan has documented the need and
potential for Telehealth Ontario for pandemic preparedness
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Our retrospective research has shown that Telehealth Ontario
data can be a proxy measure for ED visit data for respiratory
and gastrointestinal illnesses on a provincial basis
Q
Dedicated to enhancing the health
and safety of Canadians through
public health informatics
Future projects and next steps

Geospatial mapping of respiratory and gastrointestinal
hospital visit data through a regional, real-time, emergency
department surveillance system
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Infectious Disease Simulation Tool with Peel Public Health
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Ongoing lobbying to Government in an effort to obtain
Telehealth data in real-time to enhance our regional EDSS
Q
Dedicated to enhancing the health
and safety of Canadians through
public health informatics