Evaluation of 17 years of MERIN (Meningitis and Encephalitis register in Lower Saxony, Germany) surveillance system: participants acceptability survey, completeness and timeliness of data.

ABSTRACT:

Background

A Meningitis and Encephalitis Surveillance (MERIN) was implemented in 2003 in Lower Saxony, Germany as an alternative to acute flaccid paralyses surveillance, as the latter did not reach WHO sensitivity criteria. The system provides information on circulating enterovirus (EV) serotypes by focussing on patients with suspected aseptic meningitis, encephalitis or acute flaccid paralysis and contributes to the national surveillance in documenting polio free status. MERIN is based on voluntary participation of hospitals. Therefore, our evaluation focusses on acceptability of the system's objectives and performance, and identifying areas for improvement.

Methods

To assess acceptability, 32 contributing hospitals were invited to an online-based survey (11/2021 to 01/2022

SUBMITTER: Luczynska A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10782521 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature