Developing audit standards required for outbreaks of communicable diseases-lessons from a mumps outbreak

Abstract

Background: A mumps outbreak occurred in 2004-05 in England and Wales. The outbreak in the Avon area of England led to mass vaccination of 16- to 24-year-olds with the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine (MMR). The response to the outbreak was audited. Literature and web searches for audit standards were undertaken, and experts in the field were contacted. No comprehensive audit standards for outbreaks of communicable diseases were found. This article describes an approach to developing audit standards for outbreaks of communicable diseases.

Methods: Audit standards were developed based on the memorandum of understanding between the National Health Service (NHS) and Health Protection Agency. The audit was undertaken involving 25 staff.

Results: The audit standards developed identified many areas for improvement including training, strategic co-ordination, inter-organizational communication, consistency and timeliness of communication. Conducting the audit was problematic because there were not pre-defined audit standards.

Conclusions: Audit standards should be developed, which include issues relating to the structure, process and outcome of responses to outbreaks. The development of audit standards for the management of outbreaks is crucial to evaluate outbreak control and make necessary improvements.