Participate

What is sentinel surveillance?

Sentinel surveillance is the ongoing collection and analysis of data by designated sites. A sentinel surveillance system is usually designed to answer specific epidemiologic questions. The main objectives of the TARRANT Viral Watch surveillance network are to monitor the arrival and spread of influenza in Alberta.

Who are TARRANT sentinels?

TARRANT sentinels are doctors and nurse practitioners that work in family medicine practices in Alberta. They voluntarily participate in the network to contribute information about how influenza is moving in the province.

What do TARRANT sentinels do?

Year round: sentinels take nasopharyngeal swabs from all patients who present with influenza like illness

How to do a NP swab: link to a NEJM YouTube video

CLICK HERE FOR DEFINITIONS AND CODES

• If no ILI cases are seen, no specimens need to be submitted
• All supplies are provided by TARRANT Viral Watch and are couriered to your office every six weeks or on demand if you run out
• Participation should not take more than 15 minutes per week

Weekly: sentinels complete the Weekly Incident Report form

• Forms can be completed in hardcopy and faxed to TARRANT (403.270.4329) every Monday morning (or Tuesday morning if Monday is a holiday), or completed and submitted online (NB: Please contact the TARRANT office to obtain a login name to proceed with online reporting).
• Sentinels receive $5 for every weekly form submitted
• Click here for step-by-step information on completing online weekly reports.

Year round: TARRANT Viral Watch collaborates with the BC CDC on a vaccine effectiveness study.

• Sentinels who participate in this study are asked to collect specimens from all patients presenting with influenza-like illness.
• Sentinels also complete a special lab requisition form
• Sentinels receive $10 for every specimen that is submitted with the complete requisition form during the study period.
• Weekly Incident Reports are still submitted during this period

What are the benefits?

• Quick laboratory results – often within 24 hours of arrival at ProvLab
• CME credits- MainPro-2
• Regular newsletters about influenza activity in Alberta
• All expense-paid trip to our Annual General Meeting that brings together recorders and experts on influenza
• Satisfaction of being part of an important surveillance team, and a really interesting research program

Click to view recruitment brochure and FAQ