MENINGOCOCCAL DISEASE IN NEW-ZEALAND - AN AUDIT OF DISEASE NOTIFICATION AND CONTACT MANAGEMENT

Aims. To determine variations in practice across New Zealand for the n otification and contact management of meningococcal disease and recomm end action. Methods. A retrospective survey using a questionnaire cond ucted during August and September 1992. The disease notification compo nent of the audit looked only at process (post notification) rather th an completeness of notification. Results. The results indicated that t here was considerable variation in practice across the country. Concer ns expressed by respondents related to the availability of and payment for prescribed prophylactic antibiotics, contact definition, protocol availability and the appropriate delegation of duties. Deficiencies w ere identified in the above areas of concern as well as in follow-up p rocedures for contacts, record keeping and communication. Conclusions. Major variations in practice across the country which may be counterp roductive to outbreak control should be minimised. A minority of area health boards (AHBs) and districts have well developed protocols that could be the basis for developing standards of good practice for the w hole country.