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Table 1 Criteria for selecting outbreaks for audit.

From: A structured framework for improving outbreak investigation audits

Criteria

Example/Details

Outbreak of local, state, national or international significance

Multi-state outbreaks

Disease reported internationally

Exotic/emerging diseases

Highly virulent pathogens in terms of death/hospitalisation or high attack rate

Tourist facilities

National coordination required

Unusual outbreaks

Large outbreaks

New epidemiological or laboratory methods

Complex epidemiological investigations

Special learning opportunities, eg rare pathogen or unusual mode of transmission

System issues

Timeliness of epidemiological, environmental or laboratory response

Demonstrated failure of routine public health practice

Perceived failure of health protection standards or protocols

Inter-jurisdictional communication challenges

Complex outbreak coordination

Cultural differences between jurisdictions/agencies

Stress among investigating team members

Legal or Administrative

Litigation or administrative review of decision making

Public/Media concern

A high degree of community concern about the outbreak. Confidentiality provisions should be considered.