- Title Pages
- Disclaimer
- Dedication
- Preface
- Acknowledgments
- About the Editors
- Contributors
- 1 Defining Field Epidemiology
- 2 Initiating Operations
- 3 Conducting a Field Investigation
- 4 Collecting Data
- 5 Using Technologies for Data Collection and Management
- 6 Describing Epidemiologic Data
- 7 Designing and Conducting Analytic Studies in the Field
- 8 Analyzing and Interpreting Data
- 9 Optimizing Epidemiology–Laboratory Collaborations
- 10 Collecting and Analyzing Qualitative Data
- 11 Developing Interventions
- 12 Communicating During an Outbreak or Public Health Investigation
- 13 Legal Considerations
- 14 Coordination of Multiple States and Federal Agencies
- 15 Multinational Outbreak Investigations
- 16 Emergency Operations Centers and Incident Management Structure
- 17 Geographic Information System Data
- 18 Healthcare Settings
- 19 Community Congregate Settings
- 20 Exposures and Conditions of Acute Environmental Origin
- 21 Occupational Disease and Injury
- 22 Natural and Human-Made Disasters
- 23 Acute Enteric Disease Outbreaks
- 24 Suspected Intentional Use of Biologic and Toxic Agents
- 25 Suicide, Violence, and Other Forms of Injury
- Index
Conducting a Field Investigation
Conducting a Field Investigation
- Chapter:
- (p.33) 3 Conducting a Field Investigation
- Source:
- The CDC Field Epidemiology Manual
- Author(s):
Michael E. King
Diana M. Bensyl
Richard A. Goodman
Sonja A. Rasmussen
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
Performing field investigations is a core function of epidemiology in public health. When a threat to the public’s health occurs, epidemiologists investigate to describe the problem and identify causes, recommend immediate prevention and control measures, and provide a foundation for communicating information quickly to those who need to know to save lives and protect people from future illness. Although diseases and evaluative technologies evolve continually, the approach to conducting an epidemiologic field investigation remains relatively constant. Investigating an outbreak requires both a speedy and accurate response, necessitating a systematic approach that results in action. This chapter describes the basic 10-step approach for conducting an epidemiologic field investigation. Although the steps in this chapter are presented in a numeric and conceptual order, the order sometimes changes in practice. Ultimately, the goal of any epidemiologic field investigation is to use the science of epidemiology to rapidly ensure public health and safety.
Keywords: epidemiology, core function, acute outbreak, public health response, epidemic curve, descriptive epidemiology, prevention and control
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- Title Pages
- Disclaimer
- Dedication
- Preface
- Acknowledgments
- About the Editors
- Contributors
- 1 Defining Field Epidemiology
- 2 Initiating Operations
- 3 Conducting a Field Investigation
- 4 Collecting Data
- 5 Using Technologies for Data Collection and Management
- 6 Describing Epidemiologic Data
- 7 Designing and Conducting Analytic Studies in the Field
- 8 Analyzing and Interpreting Data
- 9 Optimizing Epidemiology–Laboratory Collaborations
- 10 Collecting and Analyzing Qualitative Data
- 11 Developing Interventions
- 12 Communicating During an Outbreak or Public Health Investigation
- 13 Legal Considerations
- 14 Coordination of Multiple States and Federal Agencies
- 15 Multinational Outbreak Investigations
- 16 Emergency Operations Centers and Incident Management Structure
- 17 Geographic Information System Data
- 18 Healthcare Settings
- 19 Community Congregate Settings
- 20 Exposures and Conditions of Acute Environmental Origin
- 21 Occupational Disease and Injury
- 22 Natural and Human-Made Disasters
- 23 Acute Enteric Disease Outbreaks
- 24 Suspected Intentional Use of Biologic and Toxic Agents
- 25 Suicide, Violence, and Other Forms of Injury
- Index
