BACKGROUND: Analysis and reporting are critical components of public health surveillance; however, competing demands on a limited workforce can make it challenging to accomplish these tasks at both a state and local level. The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) NEDSS Base System, VEDSS (Virginia Electronic Disease Surveillance System), provides users the ability to query and download data to support analysis and reporting. In order to reduce the burden of downloading and processing data, and enhance the ability to analyze and report on them, VDH has implemented visual analytic options utilizing both Epi Info 7 and Tableau.
METHODS: VEDSS utilizes a Microsoft SQL Server database, from which the primary case datamart is copied daily to another SQL database server utilized for a broader range of reporting purposes. Beginning in 2013, Epi Info 7 canvas files were linked to jurisdiction-specific views utilizing jurisdiction-specific credentials. Additional views of the data were created in 2016 which are linked to Tableau workbooks that are then published to the VDH Tableau server, with permissions set so they are accessible to all VDH users.
RESULTS: The initial pilot project utilizing Epi Info 7 canvas files provided 30 disease-specific dashboards that central office staff was able to customize to meet specific surveillance and reporting needs. Of the 35 heath districts in Virginia, 21 requested jurisdiction-specific canvas files. These files allowed custom analysis of jurisdictional data as well as development of multiple dashboards to meet varying local reporting requirements. Additionally, canvas files were provided to the five regional epidemiologists to allow for rapid analysis of the morbidity in the districts they served. The Tableau dashboards are available to all VDH staff and provide the ability to apply limited data filters, including jurisdiction, year, and condition, but not wholly customize the visualizations presented. Between implementation in September of 2016 and the end of the year, the Tableau dashboard was viewed almost 500 times.
CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of automated visual analytic solutions with VEDSS data has enabled staff to minimize the amount of time required to analyze and report on data in an efficient manner. The differences between the two solutions implemented are complimentary to each other, with Epi Info 7 canvas files providing end user customization while Tableau provides for a more polished dashboard, better suited for the use of executives. Evaluation of these solutions will continue to determine if one software solution can be utilized to meet all user needs.