RSMUS.comClient Overview: A large public health department, with an annual budget exceeding $70 million and over 900 staff members, serves a diverse population of 1.2 million residents across multiple cities and towns. With more than 120 years of public health leadership, this department is committed to protecting and improving the health of its community. Recognized for its innovation, it is a leader in both technology and process within the state, setting a benchmark for other jurisdictions.
Challenge: The department sought a modern, adaptable, and comprehensive disease surveillance system that would allow them to manage not just state and federal requirements but also their own public health initiatives. With an expanding scope of public health concerns, including disease outbreak management and social determinants of health, they needed a solution that could evolve with the ever-changing landscape of public health.
Solution: In October 2024, the department successfully went live with RSM’s D365 CE Disease Surveillance System, branded internally as “epiFIND” (Investigation of Notifiable Diseases). This system was developed by RSM’s Public Sector Health and Human Services (HHS) team, a group that has refined this solution over the past five years with input from epidemiologists, including Dr. Rohit Chitale, an industry leader.
The system follows CDC case definitions of over 100 diseases, offering prebuilt disease tracking and automation features designed to streamline public health operations. Its adaptability allows the department to manage multiple diseases, add new ones as needed, and keep up with public health developments. Key functionalities include automated service referrals based on Social Determinants of Health surveys, HIV Data2Care alerts, neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) surveillance, and more.
Key Components:
• Disease tracking for multiple diseases with the ability to add or update diseases.
• Automation of service referrals based on Social Determinants of Health survey responses.
• HIV Data2Care alert automation and prioritization.
• “Watch and wait” functionality for managing outbreaks in schools and facilities.
• Address validation to ensure accurate data.
• Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) surveillance, linking cases between children and birth mothers.
• Customized training videos for staff, provided by the vendor Impresys.
Project Success: The public health department selected 10 diseases to be included in Phase 1, with new initiatives such as Data2Care, case management, and outbreak management built into the system. The internal collaboration led to the naming of the new system, epiFIND, reflecting its epidemiologic focus and mission of disease investigation.
The project team, led by RSM experts in epidemiology, development, quality assurance, and project management, worked collaboratively to ensure a smooth implementation, overcoming challenges while maintaining a strong client relationship.
Results: The successful implementation of epiFIND marked a significant milestone as RSM’s first-ever disease surveillance system deployment. The system is designed to go beyond state and federal requirements, empowering the department to provide enhanced care to its community. With the project complete, RSM is now scoping out Phase 2, which promises to further expand the system’s capabilities.
Conclusion: This public health department’s adoption of RSM’s D365 CE Disease Surveillance System demonstrates the power of collaboration, innovation, and public health expertise. This first-of-its-kind implementation not only strengthens the department’s public health efforts but also establishes RSM as a leader in disease surveillance systems within the public sector.
