Which of the following types of surveillance is being used when case reports are routinely sent to local health departments by health care providers and laboratories, where the data are then summarized and forwarded to those responsible for monitoring such reports?A. Active surveillanceB. Passive surveillanceC. Sentinel surveillanceD. Special surveillance
The correct answer is B
The correct answer is B. Passive surveillance.
Passive surveillance is a type of surveillance where the data is collected passively from existing sources, such as health care providers and laboratories, without any active involvement in the reporting process by these sources. In the given scenario, health care providers and laboratories routinely send case reports to local health departments without any specific request or active engagement from the surveillance system. These reports are then summarized and forwarded to the relevant authorities responsible for monitoring and analyzing the data.
Passive surveillance is an important tool in public health as it allows for the continuous collection of information without placing an additional burden on the health care providers and laboratories. It can provide valuable insights into disease trends and patterns, helping the authorities identify and respond to public health threats. However, passive surveillance may have limitations in terms of underreporting or delayed reporting of cases, depending on the willingness and availability of health care providers to submit reports.
In contrast, active surveillance (A) involves proactive searching and collection of data through specific outreach efforts, such as active case finding or targeted surveys. Sentinel surveillance (C) is a variation of active surveillance that focuses on a specific population or group of people who are considered representative of a larger population. Special surveillance (D) is not a recognized term in the field of public health surveillance.
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