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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 two patients a week who
present with influenza like illness
CLICK HERE FOR DEFINITIONS AND CODES
- If no ILI cases are seen, no specimens need to be submitted
- If higher than usual numbers of ILI cases are occurring, sentinels may
take swabs from more than two patients
- 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 (CLICK
HERE for a Sample
 ) and fax it to TARRANT (403.270.4329)
every Monday morning (or Tuesday morning if Monday is a holiday)
November to April: TARRANT Viral Watch collaborates with the BC CDC on a
vaccine effectiveness study.
- During this period, sentinels are asked to collect specimens from all patients
presenting with influenza-like
illness.
- Sentinels also complete a special lab requisition form (CLICK
HERE for a Sample
 )
- 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
- 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
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