Attachment B. Success Story Template-Word version for content review

Syndromic Surveillance Success Stories FROM THE FIELD - Template

Attachment B

Form Approved

OMB No. 0920-0879

Expiration Date 03/31/2018

CDC’s Center for Surveillance, Epidemiology and Laboratory Services (CSELS), Division of Health Informatics and Surveillance (DHIS), wants to know how you’ve implemented best practices into the National Syndromic Surveillance Program (NSSP). These stories will showcase your experience and help others implement NSSP.

This template is to assist you in preparing your success story. Each section is followed by a few self-check questions to help you address relevant benchmarks.

Please email your completed success story to CDC’s National Syndromic Surveillance Program at [email protected].

Tips

• Complete a short narrative using the self-check guidelines in each section.

• Use plain language; avoid jargon. Use terms that the public will clearly understand.

• Keep the message simple.

• Use the active voice.

• Include direct quotes if they strengthen your story.

• Avoid broad, sweeping statements; instead, be specific.

Core Area Success Story (check all that apply)

• Improved representativeness of data

• Improved data quality, timeliness, and utility

• Strengthened syndromic surveillance practice

• Used syndromic surveillance data for public health action or response

1. Syndromic Surveillance Activity Title

Self-check: Have you

• Captured the overall message of the story?

• Included an action verb?

• Captured the reader’s attention?

• Avoided acronyms?

2. Public Health Problem:

Briefly describe the Public Health issue or problem that was addressed Using the syndromic Surveillance System or Data (100 words)

Self-check: Have you

• Described the scope of the public health problem?

• Explained why this public health problem is important?

• Provided data to frame the problem, including the health burden and potential economic cost?

• Specified the affected population(s)?

• Noted data sources or systems that helped describe the extent of the problem?

3. Success story narrative:

what happened/activity description of how the syndromic surveillance system or data were used? (400 words)

Self-check: Have you

• Described how the activity was implemented from start to finish, including where and when it took place and how it addressed the problem?

• Identified who was involved (partners) and their role or function?

• Identified the target audience of the activity?

• Identified the evidence base for the activity or described how it is an innovative practice or activity?

• Included references behind the evidence base, where applicable?

• Identified methods used, if applicable?

4. Outcomes and Impact:

How is Public health practice or the Health of the population different in your jurisdiction as a result of this activity? (400 words)

Self-check: Have you

• Described how the progress of the activity was evaluated?

• Identified the measureable short-term outcomes (early outputs of the process), intermediate outcomes (results of the short-term outcomes including data), and long-term outcomes that demonstrate how the activity addressed the problem (e.g., change in health or health-related behaviors, change in policy, change in local-level practices, establishment of additional funding)?

• Avoided use of broad, sweeping statements such as “A fact sheet on influenza illness was created and distributed to stakeholders”?

5. Lessons Learned about the use of syndromic surveillance to improve public health practice or improve population health (400 words)

Self-check: Have you

• Provided a conclusion that effectively wraps up the story?

• Summarized the problem, activity, and outcomes?

• Discussed barriers overcome or facilitators who contributed to success that you recommend?

• Avoided using broad, sweeping statements such as “There was a noticeable decrease in prescription medication abuse”?

6. Check if any of the following are being submitted to complement your story:

• Testimonials

• Quote from partner/participant

• Sample of materials produced

• Press release

• Promotional materials

• Project photo(s)

• Publication (e.g., news story, journal article)

• Video/audio clip

• Website URL

• Other; explain:________________________________________________________

7. Core Area Success Story Addresses (Check all that apply):

• Improved representativeness

• Improved data quality, timeliness, and utility

• Strengthen syndromic surveillance practice

8. Contact Information:

Name: Title:

Organization: Phone: Email:

9. Date Submitted:

Please email your completed success story to CDC’s National Syndromic Surveillance Program at [email protected].

CDC estimates the average public reporting burden for this collection of information as 100 minutes, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data/information sources, gathering and maintaining the data/information needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing burden to CDC/ATSDR Information Collection Review Office, 1600 Clifton Road NE, MS D-74, Atlanta, Georgia 30333; ATTN: PRA (0920-0879).