Improving and Strengthening National Surveillance Systems in Iceland

This grant application is dedicated to enhancing Iceland's national surveillance through comprehensive digitalization initiatives. Our proposed strategies include: 1) Expanding Testing Support: We aim to broaden our existing COVID-19 testing infrastructure to encompass testing for various pathogens, particularly respiratory viruses like influenza and RSV. 2) Streamlining Test Result Reporting: We seek to enhance the streamlining of reporting notifiable diseases from laboratories to the Chief Epidemiologist, ensuring timely and accurate transmission of crucial data. 3) Strengthening the National Communicable Disease Register: By enhancing our register's capacity to receive and manage data, we will improve data collection and data processing capabilities, bolstering the effectiveness of our surveillance efforts. 4) Integrating Database Linkages: We plan to establish linkages between various databases, including those for communicable diseases, vaccinations, EHR, hospital admissions, and death registries. This integration will facilitate comprehensive surveillance, including monitoring severity indicators. 5) Streamlining Physician Notifications: Our goal is to implement an alert system within the EHR to prompt physicians for additional clinical information for specific notifiable diseases. This system will eliminate the need for paper-based notifications. 6) Reforming and Improving the Contact Tracing Platform: By improving our existing COVID-19 contact tracing system, we will develop a robust database that will integrate case and contact information, enabling effective monitoring of isolation and quarantine measures. 7) Enhancing Data Presentation Interface: We will improve our digital interface for presenting surveillance data, allowing for real-time monitoring of disease trends and providing stakeholders with up-to-date information on disease status. Through these initiatives, we aim to modernize and strengthen Iceland's surveillance infrastructure.