TABLE 1.

—SINAVE Problems and Solutions Detected During First National Epidemiological Meeting

Problem	Solutions
Decision making	Institute compulsory notification
	Facilitate immediate and prompt decision making, based on real needs, analysis, and priorities
Analysis of information	Implement single recording system
	Standardize programs for recording and processing information
	Train personnel in system analysis to integrate multidirectional network information
Excess work	Eliminate useless formats and simplify notification network
	Integrate information in local health systems
	Standardize formats
Communication within institutions	Implement single, constant, bidirectional, and prompt morbidity and mortality feedback system
and with other institutions	Integrate interinstitutional surveillance group
Feedback	Generate reports and bulletins
	Frequently update interinstitutional agreements at every operational level
	Unify normative and technical documents and periodical revisions according to epidemiological behavior and program impact
SINAVE organization manual	Prepare manual for SINAVE, including case definition
Technology	Provide equipment to every operational level
	Standardize computer programs for recording, processing, and analyzing information
Promptness of information	Redefine channels to allow better information flow
	Disseminate information to allow updates and advice at other levels
Quality of information	Improve veracity, promptness, integrity, and agreement through technical support and
	interinstitutional collaboration
System flexibility	Maintain flexibility to allow integration and elimination of diseases, based on experience in a
	particular state and according to technological and scientific advances
Staff mobilization	Promote agreements by academic institutions to include epidemiological surveys in their curricula
	Encourage long-term appointment of physicians
	Promote better salaries
Training	Implement continuous personnel training
	Provide epidemiological educational programs
Information, decision, action	Define range and characteristics of decisions and actions at each level
	Provide prompt and reliable information to focus actions toward specific problems
	Have qualified technical personnel
	Implement communication network with “state-of-the-art” technology (fax, modem, etc.)
Supervision	Unify supervision criteria
	Periodical and permanent supervision
Private sector	Incorporate participation by law
Parallel information systems	Create single information system
Human resources	Define expenditure structure for SINAVE
Dissemination of information	Elaborate periodical bulletin
	Promulgate official procedures at all operational levels
	Carry out events with interinstitutional participation