The new QFLU daily analysis service supporting pandemic influenza planning

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The new QFLU daily analysis service supporting
pandemic influenza planning
Porter A, Hippisley-Cox J QResearch, Nottingham
University Smith GE, Harcourt SE Regional
Surveillance Unit, HPA West Midlands Stables
D EMIS Charlett A Centre for Infections,
London Painter MJ HPA
13 September 2006
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Aims

• Overview of QFlu project
• Our Data
• Our Analysis
• Plans for the future

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What is QFlu?

• Real time daily Influenza Reporting Service
• 18 Million Patients, 30 of UK
• More than 2700 Practices
• All SHA, 95 of PCT
• Within 24 hours

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What is QFlu?

• A new daily data collection and analysis service
• Established to support pandemic influenza
  planning
• A collaboration between University of Nottingham,
  the HPA and EMIS
• Not for profit
• As far as we know, this is largest real time
  surveillance system in the world

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QFLU data collection process

• Practices contribute anonymous daily data to a
  centralised database
• Data relate to activity within preceding 24 hours
• Analyses to be available immediately in the event
  of a flu epidemic or global pandemic
• Analyses reported to the HPA and CfI and on to DH

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Key indicators included in QFLU

• Incidence of flu and flu like illness
• Incidence of pneumonia
• Incidence of URTI and LRTI
• Prescribing of antivirals
• Prescribing of antivirals in patients with flu
• Prescribing of antibiotics in pneumonia
• Flu vaccine uptake

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QFLU Coverage
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Validation

• QFLU data are validated against QRESEARCH data
• QFLU data are also validated against RCGP Weekly
  Returns service data and similar trends have been
  observed
• Historical data from Jan 2003 will be used to set
  alert thresholds

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Comparison with QRESEARCH data
QRESEARCH (525 Practices)
QFLU (2700 Practices)
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Information Services

• HPA/University of Nottingham weekly surveillance
  bulletin
• Influenza-like illness
• Influenza-like illness with anti-virals
• Pneumonia
• Emergency Response

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Buncefield Fuel Depot Fire December 2005

• QFLU was in the early phase of development
• PCT level data from affected area
• There was no increase in consultations for
  influenza or pneumonia

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Future plans

• Develop skills in daily analysis
• Presentation
• Interpretation
• Integrate with PIP / DoH / CfI
• Improve Access
• International Growth

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More information

• More information about QFLU and QRESEARCH can be
  found at
• www.qresearch.org
• HPA Primary Care Surveillance
  http//www.hpa.org.uk/infections/topics_az/primary
  _care_surveillance/
• EMIS Onlinewww.emis-online.com/