Epidemiology Procedure Manual
The Epidemiology Procedure Manual is periodically reviewed and updated as appropriate by the Section of Epidemiology Infectious Disease Program. Ongoing corrections and updates are added as needed. If you print hard copies of individual chapters, please always check the on-line version for the most up-to-date information.
The original purpose of this manual, also lovingly called the "Midnight Madness Manual," was to provide standardized protocols about public health emergencies for the Section of Epidemiology (SOE) Infectious Disease Team ("Epi Team") when responding to after-hours calls. The first edition was written in 1995 by Mindy Schloss. Since then, this manual has gone through several iterations. While many in the Division of Public Health found the disease information and case management forms to be useful, the Manual remained a patchwork of documents until 2007 when it became fully electronic.
The contents of this manual are not designed as an all-inclusive procedure document. It has pertinent information and forms intended to help the user: 1) advise a health care provider on diagnosis and treatment; 2) obtain needed laboratory specimens; 3) conduct patient interviews; and 4) provide brief patient educational materials. The Control of Communicable Diseases Manual published by the American Public Health Association is a vital reference.
Staff using this manual should remember to report any suspected or laboratory confirmed case of reportable disease. A list of conditions reportable to public health and the associated report forms can be found at this link: http://dhss.alaska.gov/dph/Epi/Pages/pubs/conditions/default.aspx. Reports may be made via fax (907-561-4239) or phone (907-269-8000). Diseases designated as public health emergencies should be reported immediately via phone (907-269-8000 during business hours, 1-800-478-0084 after hours).
Suggestions, corrections, and/or additions should be sent to the "Epi Team", Infectious Disease Program, Section of Epidemiology, via phone (907-269-8000), fax (907-562-7802) or email (InfDisease@Alaska.gov).
