Partners in Data Recovery and Reporting
Jeanne Spears, RN
Disaster Health Services
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Background
Red Cross Disaster Surveillance System
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Partnership with CDC since 1987
Goal is to provide accurate, timely description of the
health-related needs of disaster-affected population
Data used for planning, preparedness, response
and recovery efforts for Red Cross, local, state, and
federal agencies
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CDC/ARC Surveillance Committee
Members
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Red Cross - Disaster Health Services
CDC - National Center for Environmental Health
Tasked to
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Update forms and processes to capture disaster-related
illness, injury, and death
Increase capacity of Red Cross’ volunteers to capture
and report these data
Develop and pilot processes to ensure data sharing with
DRO and partners during the disaster
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Morbidity and Mortality
Surveillance
Why Collect Morbidity and Mortality Data?
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To identify potential threats to client(s) requiring
immediate public health action(s)
To provide data for situational awareness
To assist in plan and prepare for future responses
To promote awareness of nursing practice in
disasters
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Why Collect Morbidity and Mortality Data?
(cont’d)
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To support states compliance with the National Mass
Care strategy
To disseminate findings to the preparedness
community and advance disaster science
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Hurricane Sandy, New York, 2012
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Disaster Health and Mental Health
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Surveillance in Shelters
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Nov., 2012 – 2922
shelter client visits
90% treated by
staff
2% referred to
hospital
8% referred to
other healthcare
professionals
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Health Services NY Shelter Visits
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29% - mental health
issues
22% - follow-up care
19% - exacerbation
chronic conditions
13% - acute conditions
Reasons for Visits by Shelter
Neighborhood Outreach Surveillance
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In Nov., Outreach,
made 5320
contacts
Queens, Staten
Island, Brooklyn,
Coney Island,
Nassau and NYC
Included…hotels,
homes & high-rise
apartments
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When Does Red Cross Collect
Surveillance Data?
Depends on size of Disaster Levels:
• Level l – Chapter disaster response (e.g.,
single or small multi-family house fire or flood)
• Level ll – Chapter response larger multi-family
or neighborhood event (e.g., multi-family or apt
fire)
• Level lll – Multi-chapter, state, or regional
disaster response
• Level lV and above – National HQ response
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Red Cross Data published in
CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report
Tornado-Related Fatalities Five States, Southeastern
US, April 25–28, 2011. July 20, 2012 61(28);529-533
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Aggregate Morbidity
Surveillance
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Aggregate Morbidity Form
PART I
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Aggregate Morbidity Form PART II
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Visual of What a Contact Is
Service Sites –
Shelters and NonShelters
Contact
Client
Heath
Record
Health
Service
Visit
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Aggregate Morbidity Form
PART III
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PART IV: Reason for Visit
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Aggregate Morbidity Form
PART V
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New to Aggregate Morbidity Form
Functional and Access Needs
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C-MIST Functional and
Communication:
• Visual or hearing problems;
require equipment or
Definitions
assistance
Maintain Health:
Services/Support:
• Disease, injury, pregnancy,
• Requires support (e.g., family,
mental health issues; require
caregiver, qualified shelter
medication, medical supplies,
volunteer, or local agency)
oxygen, temp control, or daily
provide non-medical ADL’s
care (ADLs)
Transportation:
Independence:
• Requires transportation to a
 Mobility issues; require
medical care facility for
medical equipment for safety,
treatment or non-medical
comfort, mobility, and ADL’s
appointment
 Infant services and service
animal accommodations
Access Needs –
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Morbidity Flow Chart – Reporting Process
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Disaster-Related Mortality
Surveillance
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Disaster-related Surveillance
All deaths associated with a disaster
 All single and multi-family fires deaths
 Information obtained about disasterrelated deaths are identified by media
outlets, fire and police departments,
hospitals and emergency departments or
other similar sources
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Condolence Visits
• Once deaths are verified, Red Cross usually
schedule condolence visits with the family
 Condolence visits include health services,
mental health and/or spiritual care and
possibly client casework
• For larger scale fatalities, an integrated care
team is established to contact families
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Mortality
Surveillance
Form
Mortality Surveillance Form PART II
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Mortality Surveillance Form PART III
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Mortality Surveillance Form
PART III
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Mortality Flow Chart – Reporting Process
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Publications to Date
2012
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Evaluation of the American Red Cross Disaster-Related Mortality Surveillance
System by Using Hurricane Ike Data - Texas, 2008. Disaster Med Public Health
Preparedness. 2012
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Deaths Associated with a Historic Tornado Disaster--Southeastern United
States, April 25-28, 2011.MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2012; 61(28);529-533
Disaster-related injuries and illnesses treated by American Red Cross Disaster
Health Services during Hurricanes Gustav and Ike. Southern Medical Journal
106, no. 1 (2013): 102-108
2013
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Fatalities Associated with the April 2011 Tornadoes (accepted for publication in
American Journal of Public Health)
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Fatalities Associated with Hurricane Sandy (accepted by MMWR)
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Thank You,
Jeanne Spears, RN
Jeanne.spears@redcross.org
202-367-5454
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