3.4 Adaptive and responsive
Data management systems need to be flexible and responsive to changing needs and circumstances. Inflexible systems become outdated quickly, often failing to integrate with other systems effectively. Adaptable systems can change when priorities and requirements change; this is especially relevant in animal and public health surveillance, where priority concerns are constantly evolving. Related to this, a good data management system will have a database design that promotes interoperability with other information systems.
There are few good examples (yet) of adaptive and responsive designs for AMR surveillance anywhere in the world. To get an idea of what such a system could look like, Box 1 summarises how the AFROSCREEN project (n.d.) is developing a syndromic sentinel surveillance system across 13 African countries that can be readily adapted to detect and respond to new health threats, which could include a new type of AMR. However, such systems are not yet available in many countries.
Box 1: Overview of AFROSCREEN syndromic sentinel surveillance system
Putting data to work: from signal to response
Using data from emergency departments nationwide to track symptoms has become a model for electronic data exchange between health care and public health. AFROSCREEN’s syndromic sentinel surveillance system helps connect 25 laboratories, reference centres and partners and three research institutes across 13 countries in Africa. The programme was set up in response to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic to ‘[a]ssist in public health decision-making at the national and international level’ (AFROSCREEN, n.d.). Its aim is to monitor emerging pathogens with epidemic potential. Partners can unite nationally or internationally and act quickly when something unusual happens. They can also monitor how well their response is working and adjust as needed.
Enhancing syndromic surveillance and linking multiple data sources is one focus area of AFROSCREEN’s strategy to improve surveillance data.
- Newer: Cloud-based technology and analysis tools allow users to visualise and share information from a number of health facilities.
- Faster: Real-time genomic sequencing data allows users to quickly detect and monitor public health impacts, virus evolution and transmission routes; devise countermeasures; and monitor the response across countries.
- Smarter: As new health threats emerge, sharing data can mean that syndrome definitions can be quickly developed and standardised.
- Better: As new analytic methods are added and participation increases, data sources can be expanded and integrated with other systems.
3.3 Ensuring data security
