Use of Digital Pens for Rapid Epidemiologic Data Collection During a Foodborne Outbreak Investigation.
OBJECTIVE
Public health investigations require rapid assessment, response, and initiation of control measures. In 2012, the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services used digital pens to rapidly acquire epidemiologic data during a gastrointestinal illness outbreak.


METHODS
Menus were obtained and a standard questionnaire was administered to exposed persons using digital pens. Questionnaire data were downloaded into an electronic file for analysis.


RESULTS
Sixty-nine (74%) of 93 exposed persons completed a questionnaire. Of 6389 data entries made on digital paper, 218 (3%) required correction; of these, 201 (92%) involved a free-form variable and 17 (8%) involved a check-box variable. Digital pens saved an estimated 5 to 6 hours of data-entry time.


CONCLUSIONS
This outbreak provided an opportunity to assess the value of digital pens for decreasing data-entry burden and allowing more timely data analysis in an emergent setting. Depending on the size of the outbreak and complexity of the survey, there is likely a threshold when use of digital pens would provide a clear benefit to outbreak response. As new technology becomes available for use in emergency preparedness settings, public health agencies must continuously review and update response plans and evaluate investigation tools to ensure timely disease control and response activities.
New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services,Concord,New Hampshire.
Abigail A
AA
Mathewson
New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services,Concord,New Hampshire.
Elizabeth R
ER
Daly
New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services,Concord,New Hampshire.
Steffany J
SJ
Cavallo
New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services,Concord,New Hampshire.
Adnela
A
Alic
D016287:Computer Peripherals / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003625:Data Collection / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005517:Foodborne Diseases; D006801:Humans; D011634:Public Health / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000592:standards; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States; D054928:Validation Studies as Topic
digital pen; foodborne outbreak; investigation methods; outbreak response; public health preparedness; rapid survey