title: Assessing electronic death registration and american red cross systems for mortality surveillance during Hurricane Sandy, October 29-November 10, 2012, New York City.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We briefly describe 2 systems that provided disaster-related mortality surveillance during and after Hurricane Sandy in New York City, namely, the New York City Health Department Electronic Death Registration System (EDRS) and the American Red Cross paper-based tracking system.
  
  
  METHODS
  Red Cross fatality data were linked with New York City EDRS records by using decedent name and date of birth. We analyzed cases identified by both systems for completeness and agreement across selected variables and the time interval between death and reporting in the system.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Red Cross captured 93% (41/44) of all Sandy-related deaths; the completeness and quality varied by item, and timeliness was difficult to determine. The circumstances leading to death captured by Red Cross were particularly useful for identifying reasons individuals stayed in evacuation zones. EDRS variables were nearly 100% complete, and the median interval between date of death and reporting was 6 days (range: 0-43 days).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings indicate that a number of steps have the potential to improve disaster-related mortality surveillance, including updating Red Cross surveillance forms and electronic databases to enhance timeliness assessments, greater collaboration across agencies to share and use data for public health preparedness, and continued expansion of electronic death registration systems.
authors: 1Bureau of Vital Statistics,New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene,New York,New York.
authors: Renata E
authors: RE
authors: Howland
authors: 1Bureau of Vital Statistics,New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene,New York,New York.
authors: Ann M
authors: AM
authors: Madsen
authors: 2Office of Chief Medical Examiner,New York,New York.
authors: Leze
authors: L
authors: Nicaj
authors: 3National Center for Environmental Health,Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,Chamblee,Georgia.
authors: Rebecca S
authors: RS
authors: Noe
authors: 4Disaster Health Services,The American Red Cross,Washington,DC.
authors: Mary
authors: M
authors: Casey-Lockyer
authors: 1Bureau of Vital Statistics,New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene,New York,New York.
authors: Elizabeth
authors: E
authors: Begier
mesh_terms: D003195:Computer Communication Networks; D055867:Cyclonic Storms / Q000401:mortality*; D003644:Death Certificates; D004189:Disaster Planning / Q000379:methods; D004190:Disasters; D057286:Electronic Health Records; D006801:Humans; D009519:New York City / Q000453:epidemiology; D062486:Public Health Surveillance; D012011:Red Cross
keywords: public health surveillance