Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity (ELC) Cooperative Agreement Program
Funding Initiated In 1997

FY05 Funding July 1, 2005 through December 31, 2005 - $748,161

Activities Proposed for FY 05

Antimicrobial Resistance, Food Safety, Hepatitis Prevention and Control, Influenza Surveillance and Response, National Electronic Disease Surveillance System, West Nile Virus, and General Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity

Key Performance Indicators

Antimicrobial Resistance

• We will consult with local health departments, health care providers, health care facilities, community agencies, and the general public on the prevention and control of antimicrobial resistance.
• Collaborate with the established, broad based coalition of organizations interested in combating antimicrobial resistance through active participation in all coalition meetings—document attendance at coalition meetings.
• Participate in continuing education programs for health care providers on antimicrobial resistance, disseminate educational materials and implement behavior change strategies adapted from the CDC and other organizations.

Food Safety

• ODH epidemiologists will conduct foodborne diseases outbreaks investigation training for new sanitarians every six months. Additional training for local health department staff on how to conduct foodborne disease outbreaks will be completed as needed.
• Report foodborne disease outbreaks promptly through the Electronic Foodborne Outbreak Reporting System (EFORS); additionally, epidemiologists will submit a final outbreak report within three months of the conclusion of the outbreak investigation.
• Increase the proportion of confirmed foodborne disease outbreaks by comparing the percentage of confirmed foodborne disease outbreaks in the current year to data from previous years.

Hepatitis Prevention and Control

• We propose gauging effectiveness based on: 1) the number of local health agencies visited per year, 2) the number of new organizational collaborations begun per year, 3) the number of new HCV testing sites enrolled per year, 4) and the number of brochures distributed to local health agencies per year.

Influenza Surveillance and Response

• If discrepancies arise, the ODHL will review its virus isolation technique and modify it to obtain the most accurate results possible.

National Electronic Disease Surveillance System

• Increase in number reports received.
• Reduction in time lag from laboratory confirmation to receipt in ODRS.
• Satisfaction among ODRS users in managing and analyzing cases.

West Nile Virus

• Mosquito and bird samples will be identified and prepared for testing within three days of receipt. Test results will be reported to the Surveillance Coordinator within three days of receipt in the micro lab.
• Positive test results will be reported to the submitting agency by the Surveillance Coordinator or other staff within one day of receipt from the VBDP micro lab by telephone.
• All surveillance data will be reported to all agencies electronically on Friday of each week.
• Numerator data will be reported to CDC via ArboNet each Friday. The data will also be posted on the WNV page of the ODH web site each Friday.

General Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity

• The number of pulse gel field tests conducted July 1, 2005 through June 30, 2006, will be compared to the number of tests conducted in the previous 12 month cycle.
• ODH will accurately assess the distribution of raccoon rabies in Ohio.
• Implementing electronic laboratory reporting for two regional and 20 hospital labs will be a successful measure of the epidemiologist laboratory coordinator's activities.
• The HL7 system will be evaluated for accurately transmitting data using methods recommended by CDC.

Contact Information and Links

Bob Campbell, PhD
246 North High Street
Columbus, Ohio 43215

Ohio Department of Health: http://www.odh.state.oh.us/