The rationale for developing public health surveillance systems based on emergency department data

Emergency departments (EDs) are well positioned to provide national data on several aspects of public health. The large volume of patients seen annual ly, improving medical record technology, and emergency uniform data sets ma ke the development of public health surveillance systems a realistic opport unity for emergency medicine. Such data could identify public health concer ns and suggest interventions to improve the health of the nation. This arti cle describes current concepts and status of ED surveillance systems, their advantages and disadvantages, the rationale for their existence, and recom mendations to allow their continued consideration and development.