Two new respiratory disease dashboards released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention can provide senior living operators with an early warning system to prepare against viruses circulating in the community.
An Argentum spokesman told McKnight’s Senior Living that the information contained in the dashboards “may prove useful as senior living providers consider what measures to put in place to mitigate risks associated with these respiratory viruses.”
The Respiratory Virus Hospitlitalizations Surveillance Network (RESP-NET) provides real-time data on COVID-19, influenza and respiratory syncytial virus hospitalizations in acute care hospitals in 13 states, based on lab-confirmed cases. Representing approximately 8% to 10% of the population, the tool allows users to compare rates between seasons and demographic groups, including age, sex and race/ethnicity.
The National Syndromic Surveillance Program (NSSP) is a joint effort between the CDC and other public health organizations. The dashboard provides a combined view of emergency department visits for multiple respiratory conditions tracked through a nationwide network of federal partners, state and local health departments, and academic and private-sector collaborators. The system provides an early warning alert to identify unusual levels of certain illness or outbreaks in real time.
“The geographic and demographic breakouts will provide additional insight for the population we care for,” the Argentum spokesman said. “While this type of data might be available for the US population as a whole, having good insight into what’s happening in your local area is especially useful.”
The spokesman said that having up-to-date trend data for respiratory viruses readily available will help clinicians gain a sense of the severity of those viruses within a historical context, as well as offer tools providers need to “proactively create safe environments for residents” in normal times and during public health crises.
“In an increasingly interconnected world, the health of our elderly population is more vulnerable than ever before, and it’s up to us to understand the potential risks and implement strategies that can help prevent the spread of infectious diseases and reduce their severity when they do occur,” Argentum stated. “These resources equip healthcare professionals and senior living decisionmakers with the real-time data they need to identify trends in virus circulation, estimate disease burden across seasons, and take swift action when necessary.”
