Research priorities for syndromic surveillance systems response: consensus development using nominal group technique.

Objective: To identify a set of fundable and practically feasible research priorities in the field of syndromic surveillance response on the basis of expert consensus.

Methods: The nominal group technique was used to structure an expert panel meeting in February 2009. Eleven national experts participated in the meeting, representing health departments at the city, county, state, and federal levels as well as academia and the military.

A survey of usage protocols of syndromic surveillance systems by state public health departments in the United States.

Objective: To broadly describe current syndromic surveillance systems in use throughout the United States and to provide basic descriptive information on responses to syndromic system signals.

Methods: Cross-sectional survey (telephone and e-mail) of state epidemiologists in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Results: Forty-one states participated in the survey for a response rate of 80 percent.

Framework for the development of response protocols for public health syndromic surveillance systems: case studies of 8 US states.

Objectives: To describe current syndromic surveillance system response protocols in health departments from 8 diverse states in the United States and to develop a framework for health departments to use as a guide in initial design and/or enhancement of response protocols.

Methods: Case study design that incorporated in-depth interviews with health department staff, textual analysis of response plans, and a Delphi survey of syndromic surveillance response experts.

Results: All 8 states and 30 of the 33 eligible health departments agreed to participate (91% response rate).