MENINGOCOCCAL DISEASE IN NEW ZEALAND : AN AUDIT OF DISEASE NOTIFICATION AND CONTACT MANAGEMENT

AIMS: To determine variations in practice across New Zealand for the notification and contact management of meningococcal disease and recommend action. METHODS: A retrospective survey using a questionnaire conducted during August and September 1992. The disease notification component of the audit looked only at process (post notification) rather than completeness of notification. RESULTS: The results indicated that there was considerable variation in practice across the country. Concerns expressed by respondents related to the availability of and payment for prescribed prophylactic antibiotics, contact definition, protocol availability and the appropriate delegation of duties. Deficiencies were identified in the above areas of concern as well as in follow-up procedures for contacts, record keeping and communication. CONCLUSIONS: Major variations in practice across the country which may be counterproductive to outbreak control should be minimised. A minority of area health boards (AHBs) and districts have well developed protocols that could be the basis for developing standards of good practice for the whole country.