Canada has taken large steps to improve their overall public health infrastructure since the 2003 SARS outbreak in Canada. SARS was first recognized in Toronto in a woman who returned from Hong Kong during February of 2003. Transmission to others resulted subsequently in an outbreak of more than 250 persons. One lesson learned from this outbreak is that more timely and accurate information is required to minimize health and economic impacts illustrating the need for comprehensive surveillance systems.

Canadian Public Health Surveillance System

STC with IBM Canada is part of a collaborative team of public health professionals implementing the pan-Canadian Public Health Surveillance System. This electronic solution will aid Canadian health officials in the reporting, tracking, and management of diseases enabling more efficient and coordinated responses to potential pandemics.

The Canadian project offers a unique opportunity to bridge several public health disciplines into one integrated portal. Upon implementation, users will have a web-based portal environment with functionality covering Case Management, Immunization Management, Outbreak Management, Alert Management, and Work Management. Throughout the project STC will fully comply with Canadian privacy legislation.

The new solution will allow Canadian public health staff to collect, share and analyze critical health information to better respond in an emergency. This will replace an older surveillance system in some Canadian jurisdictions and may also serve as the foundation for more comprehensive public health systems in provinces and territories. This system is expected to be available for jurisdictional implementation in 2009.