The Evaluation of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease Surveillance System in Phetchabun Hospital, Phetchabun Province, Thailand, 2022

Abstract

Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) was a common infectious disease among children and could lead to severe complications, including death. Disease surveillance played a critical role in detecting outbreaks to enable effective control and prevention. This study aimed to assess the reporting process and evaluate both quantitative and qualitative attributes of the HFMD surveillance system, as well as to provide recommendations for improvement. A cross-sectional study was conducted at Phetchabun Hospital using data from 506 surveillance reports and patient medical records collected between January and December 2022, along with interviews of key stakeholders. The results showed that the surveillance system demonstrated high sensitivity (97.63%) and positive predictive value (98.33%), with 100% completeness and accuracy across all relevant variables, full representativeness of the target population, and 100% timeliness in reporting. The system was highly useful for public health practice, well accepted by staff, and user-friendly. Although limited in flexibility regarding variable modification, the system remained stable and adaptable to changing circumstances. However, challenges related to diagnostic accuracy and incomplete ICD-10-TM coding were identified. To improve effectiveness, expanding the scope of disease codes and promoting thorough clinical documentation prior to reporting were recommended.