Open AccessHarmful Algal Bloom–Associated Illness Surveillance: Lessons From Reported Hospital Visits in New York, 2008–2014
Author(s) -
Mary Figgatt,
Neil Muscatiello,
Lloyd R. Wilson,
David M. Dziewulski
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
american journal of public health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.284
H-Index - 264
eISSN - 1541-0048
pISSN - 0090-0036
DOI - 10.2105/ajph.2015.302988
Subject(s) - algal bloom , medicine , public health , environmental health , incidence (geometry) , medical record , bloom , diagnosis code , emergency department , emergency medicine , medical emergency , psychiatry , ecology , surgery , population , biology , physics , nursing , phytoplankton , nutrient , optics
We identified hospital visits with reported exposure to harmful algal blooms, an emerging public health concern because of toxicity and increased incidence. We used the World Health Organization's International Classification of Disease (ICD) medical code specifying environmental exposure to harmful algal blooms to extract hospital visit records in New York State from 2008 to 2014. Using the ICD code, we identified 228 hospital visits with reported exposure to harmful algal blooms. They occurred all year long and had multiple principal diagnoses. Of all hospital visits, 94.7% were managed in the emergency department and 5.3% were hospitalizations. As harmful algal bloom surveillance increases, the ICD code will be a beneficial tool to public health only if used properly.