What is NEDSS?

CDC began development of the National Electronic Disease Surveillance System (NEDSS) in October 1999 to facilitate the electronic transfer of appropriate information from clinical information systems in the health care industry to public health department; enhance both the timeliness and quality of information provided; and reduce provider burden in the provision of information. The integrated system will efficiently and securely transfer appropriate information over the Internet. NEDSS will revolutionize public health by gathering and analyzing information quickly and accurately. This will improve the nation's ability to identify and track emerging infectious diseases and potential bioterrorism attacks, as well as to investigate outbreaks and monitor disease trends.

What is the long-range vision for I-NEDSS?

When completely operational, comprehensive electronic reporting from providers and laboratories will serve as the backbone for I-NEDSS. Through an IDPH Internet web portal, demographic, laboratory and disease-specific information will be securely transferred to the appropriate local health department (LHD) and to the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH).

Who is involved in planning I-NEDSS?

IDPH has contracted with Integrated Software Specialists for the architectural design and development of I-NEDSS. Staff from IDPH’s Information Technology Division oversee each step of the process. Members from all IDPH Infectious Disease Sections (Communicable Disease, HIV/AIDS, Immunization, Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Tuberculosis) meet weekly to address I-NEDSS planning issues. In addition, a Local Health Department I-NEDSS Advisory Group has been convened and provides ongoing input to IDPH on I-NEDSS development. Participating local health departments include: Chicago, Cook County, DeWitt- Piatt Bi-County, DuPage County, Franklin-Williamson Bi-County, Kane County, Lake County, Macon County and Madison County.

What are IDPH’s current plans for I-NEDSS implementation and what progress has been achieved?

Development and piloting of the demographic module were completed in mid-July 2002 with recommended alterations/changes made or prioritized for future phases. Communicable diseases are the first disease-specific modules being developed, beginning with Salmonella. IDPH’s Communicable Disease staff have been instrumental in determining what information must be collected to meet CDC’s reporting requirements, as well as local and state data needs for disease containment and surveillance. IDPH is on target to pilot Salmonella in October with statewide implementation scheduled for November 2002. Concurrently, an I-NEDSS feature that will facilitate electronic reporting of disease information by health care providers to local health departments is being developed and also will be launched by the end of this year.

Next steps in the I-NEDSS time-line include adding the remaining communicable diseases, beginning with enteric diseases and high priority bioterrorism agents. Vaccine-preventable diseases, tuberculosis, sexually transmitted diseases and HIV/AIDS will follow.