Department of Health and Human Services

Hospital-Based Public Health Epidemiologist (PHE) Program

Overview

The Hospital-Based Public Health Epidemiologist (PHE) Program was created by the North Carolina Division of Public Health in 2003 to complement and strengthen public health preparedness efforts that began with the establishment of the Public Health Preparedness and Response Branch in 2002. The PHE program seeks to enhance communication among clinicians, hospitals, and the public health system. The PHE program is composed of a director and ten PHEs based in North Carolina's largest hospital systems, covering approximately 38 percent of general/acute care beds and 40 percent of emergency department visits.

PHEs are responsible for:

1. Surveillance, detection, and monitoring of community-acquired infections and potential bioterrorism events;
2. Assisting LHDs with public health investigations;
3. Educating clinicians regarding diseases of public health importance;
4. Enhancing communication among clinicians, hospitals, and the public health system; and
5. Conducting special studies.

In 2010, the North Carolina Preparedness and Emergency Response Research Center (NCPERRC) at the University of North Carolina surveyed local health department nurses in North Carolina about the PHE program. View results of that survey here (PDF).

 

PHE Hospital Locations

For additional information and questions, contact Lana Deyneka, Hospital Based Epidemiologist Program Director, at (919) 715-0092.

 

Relevant Links:

Hospital-Based Public Health Epidemiologist Program for Biosurveillance

Hospital-Based Epidemiologist Program Aids H1N1 Response

NC DETECT Web Site

NCPERRC Research Brief: How the Hospital-Based Public Health Epidemiologist Program Benefits Local Health Departments (PDF)