Development of an electronic emergency department-based geo-information injury surveillance system in Hong Kong

Abstract Objectives To describe the experience in the development of an electronic emergency department (ED)-based injury surveillance (IS) system in Hong Kong using data-mining and geo-spatial information technology (IT) for a Safe Community setup. Methods This paper described the phased development of an emergency department-based IS system based on World Health Organization (WHO) injury surveillance Guideline to support safety promotion and injury prevention in a Safe Community in Hong Kong starting 2002. Results The initial ED data-based only collected data on name, sex, age, address, eight general categories of injury types (traffic, domestic, common assault, indecent assault, batter, industrial, self-harm and sports) and disposal from ED. Phase 1 – manual data collection on International Classification of External Causes of Injury pre-event data; Phase 2 – manual form was converted to electronic format using web-based data mining technology with built in data quality monitoring mechanism; Phase 3 – integration of injury surveillance-data with in-patient hospital information; and Phase 4 – geo-spatial information and body mapping were introduced to geo-code exact place of injury in an electronic map and site of injury on body map. Conclusion It was feasible to develop a geo-spatial IS system at busy ED to collect valuable information for safety promotion and injury prevention at Safe Community setting. The keys for successful development and implementation involves engagement of all stakeholders at design and implementation of the system with injury prevention as ultimate goal, detail workflow planning at front end, support from the management, building on exiting system and appropriate utilisation of modern technology.