Outbreak Data Management for Novel Coronavirus Using Redcap

Brief Summary:
The Tennessee Department of Health (TDH) implemented the Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap) secure, web-based software developed by Vanderbilt University. Although the software was originally designed for data capture during clinical trials and academic research, it is effective for the management of outbreak data, including MERS. The software is also used in the department for data collection during special studies, partner surveys, case management, etc. The demonstration will cover the following key elements. First, lessons learned and highlights from the implementation process within the state Information Technology (IT) infrastructure will be discussed, followed by a walkthrough of the MERS project design implemented in REDCap to capture clinical, epidemiologic, and laboratory data, as well as exposure characteristics between persons, events, and locations. Next, strategies for leveraging the contact data collected in the system for contact prioritization and visualization of exposure periods and social networks will be presented. Lastly, the implementation of REDCap’s survey capabilities to monitor ill healthcare workers and exposed contacts, use of the system by internal and external partners, and reporting and data sharing capabilities (including electronic laboratory results and case report data) will be demonstrated within the system. Use of the MERS experience as a template for other outbreaks will also be discussed.