TY - JOUR AU - M’ikanatha, Nkuchia M. AU - Southwell, Brian AU - Lautenbach, Ebbing T1 - Automated Laboratory Reporting of Infectious Diseases in a Climate of Bioterrorism T2 - Emerging Infectious Disease journal PY - 2003 VL - 9 IS - 9 SP - 1053 SN - 1080-6059 AB - While newly available electronic transmission methods can increase timeliness and completeness of infectious disease reports, limitations of this technology may unintentionally compromise detection of, and response to, bioterrorism and other outbreaks. We reviewed implementation experiences for five electronic laboratory systems and identified problems with data transmission, sensitivity, specificity, and user interpretation. The results suggest a need for backup transmission methods, validation, standards, preserving human judgment in the process, and provider and end-user involvement. As illustrated, challenges encountered in deployment of existing electronic laboratory reporting systems could guide further refinement and advances in infectious disease surveillance. KW - Computerized data collection, disease notification, epidemiologic methods, medical records KW - population surveillance, public health, public policy, new media KW - United States DO - 10.3201/eid0909.020486 UR - https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/9/9/02-0486_article ER - End of Reference