Epidemiological surveillance and the Community Health Nurse

BY Frank Ejechi RN
Epidemiological surveillance is one of the methods in which the public health nurse use in collecting, recording, analyzing and dissemination of data or information on the current health status of a community. In the beginning, the public health nurse uses the epidemiological surveillance in monitoring and intervening in areas of infectious diseases. But now, the success of the methods has made it possible for the community health nurse to apply the same methods in observing and monitoring chronic diseases, premature death, injuries, environmental factors and other social factors that influence a community health needs.

Epidemiological surveillance can occur in three ways. The first is the passive surveillance which can occur when information is obtained without actively searching for the information. For example, if a school nurse is teaching a student proper hand washing, and he comes across bruises that indicates abuses. He is mandatorily required to report the case. Secondly, active surveillance occurs when a public health nurse is actively looking for information why a particular community has lots of in his students with a particular infectious disease, example, tuberculosis or a particular community is filled with childhood criminal activities. Thirdly, surveillance can occur through reporting of a particular disease by selected individual or institutions.

The benefits of epidemiological surveillance are creating a data base of a particular infectious disease, and the group of individuals that at mostly at risks. This will include identifying the causes, the extent of the spread, and plan for intervention. It also serves as a blue print if such problem should occur in another community, and it is way of reducing duplication of efforts by different agencies. Through it, the public nurse can itemize intervention based on priorities, it also helps in evaluation outcomes, and spreading information on how to prevent or intervene when there is an outbreak of diseases.

References

Encyclopedia of Public Health. (2011). Epidemiologic Surveillance. Retrieved on August 5, 2011, from http://www.enotes.com/public-health-encyclopedia/epidemiologic-surveillance

NOTE: This blog post reflects the work of a Registered Nurse with minor editing by Shirley Comer RN and was completed as a class assignment. The content of this blog is for informational purposes only. Before beginning or changing a treatment or lifestyle regime you should consult your primary health care provider.