–SSCSeT maintains and builds capacity for the syndromic surveillance system through user-driven activities that provide services to public health and healthcare entities in Region 6/5S.

–The purpose of SSCSeT is to bring together jurisdictional public health agencies, health data providers, and other stakeholders in Region 6/5S to collaborate and coordinate on matters of science, policy, and utilization of technological advances in syndromic surveillance as it pertains to the syndromic surveillance system operated by the Houston Health Department (HHD).

–In 2015, SSCSeT offered four training sessions titled Syndromic Surveillance 101. There were 17 attendees from five health departments.

–Once the local ESSENCE system is operational SSCSeT will provide trainings relevant to beginner and advanced users. In the meantime, you can view ESSENCE training videos prepared by John Hopkins University Applied Physics Lab from 2006 at http://nstd-ncr5.jhuapl.edu/training/index.html

–SSCSeT will maintain a file management tool for members to have access to training material and other related documents.

–As of July 2016, 80% to 90% of hospital connections have been reconnected from the previous system to the new system.

–Later in the year we will add several new hospital connections and outpatient clinics with eligible providers.

–During the summer, SSCSeT will contact the neighboring jurisdictions in Region 6/5S to update hospital connections from the TALHO system to the new system.

–Onboarding: LHD in Region 6/5S can obtain Provider Packet from HHD

–Research and Best Practices in syndromic surveillance: The next meeting will be on August 24, 2016 9 AM via WebEx.

–Email syndromic@houstontx.gov to participate in the workgroups.

–SSCSeT prepared three use cases on how to use syndromic surveillance data and perform analysis.

–Use case will be available online.

–Email syndromic@houstontx.gov to obtain the use case.

–SSCSeT is working with the CDC ESSENCE team to ensure that syndromic surveillance data from Region 6/5S is part of the national system.

–SSCSeT is updating health data senders of the requirements for data flow. This will ensure that the data flow meets the standards set forth for elements and functional requirements.

–Interested members can review the Public Health Information Network (PHIN) Guide for syndromic surveillance at http://www.cdc.gov/phin/resources/PHINguides.html

–HHD has set up the virtual environment that will house ESSENCE.

–Next SSCSeT will install ESSENCE in the local environment, replicate mappers from Tarrant County Public Health, and validate ADT messages.

–SSCSeT will post reports online.

–The next quarterly report will be distributed before the Regular Quarterly meeting in October.

–Questions? Email syndromic@houstontx.gov.

–ISDS Webinar Library: http://www.syndromic.org/events/isds-webinars/archive/search/summary

–ISDS Community Forum: http://communityforum.syndromic.org/

–ISDS Biosense User Group: http://www.syndromic.org/cop/bpug