Synthetic cannabinoid drug use |
Mentions of synthetic marijuana, K2, K-2, K-TWO, K TWO, or other street names of synthetic cannabinoid drugs |
To monitor citywide ED visit trends related to synthetic cannabinoid drug use as seen in other parts of the country |
Compare daily counts with a 1-year baseline to detect unusual increases for a single day; compare monthly aggregates to understand trends |
A 220% increase in the number of monthly synthetic cannabinoid-related ED visits from December 2013 (n = 14) to June 2014 (n = 45) |
Prompted the immediate release of a health advisory and initiation of a public health investigation. Neighborhoods with higher synthetic cannabinoid-related ED visits were prioritized for removal of synthetic cannabinoid products |
Heat-related illness |
Mentions of words such as heat, hot, heat stroke, and T67 and excluding words such as heater or hot food
|
To monitor and report on heat-related illness during heat waves and to provide timely information to the city’s heat emergency steering committee |
Generalized linear regression models controlling for temporal and meteorological variables and comparing increases with previous years |
Enhanced situational awareness during extreme heat events by supplementing weather observations and forecasts with a timely indicator of public health impact |
Prompted additional public health messaging |
Unreported suspected meningococcal disease or unnecessary prophylaxis |
Mentions of meningitis; visits with mentions of exposure, prophylaxis, or contact |
To identify potentially unreported cases of meningococcal disease and misuse of prophylaxis |
Create and disseminate line list daily |
Identified 451 ED visits with mention of meningitis from May 1, 2015, through April 30, 2016. No unreported cases of meningococcal disease were found during the period. Followed up on 17 instances where chief complaint indicated an exposure to or prophylaxis for meningitis but no suspected cases had been reported |
Hospital staff members were educated about the appropriate use of antibiotic prophylaxis |
Medical needs after severe weather |
Mentions of medication, methadone, dialysis, or oxygen need |
To provide situational awareness in the worst affected areas immediately after Superstorm Sandy |
Recognize community needs and monitor their trends for several weeks after the storm |
ED visits for medical needs increased acutely after Superstorm Sandy and remained slightly elevated for the next 30 days |
Identified new medical needs in specific locations and provided timely information to public health officials |
Asthma after building collapse |
Mentions of asthma, wheezing, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease |
To investigate potential increases in asthma after a building collapse and fire in a Manhattan neighborhood |
Compare trends in affected vs nonaffected areas |
No increase was found |
Quickly addressed potential health impacts and provided reassurance to officials |
Ebola virus disease |
Mentions of Ebola, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, or Sierra Leone |
To monitor for potentially unreported cases of Ebola |
Create and disseminate line list when cases identified |
37 mentions of Ebola and 12 mentions of Ebola-affected countries |
Prompted follow-up with ED for 3 questionable cases; none of the cases met the testing criteria |