Managing a multicenter case–control project within the framework of the influenza A (H1N1) 2009 pandemic. Implications for public health services

Abstract Objective To analyze the strategies used for the integrated management of resources in a multicenter case–control project during a public health crisis. The aim of the project was to investigate the effectiveness of pharmacological and non-pharmacological measures in preventing hospitalization for pandemic influenza A (H1N1) 2009 in Spain. Methods Management strategies were designed to monitorize, organize and supervise the flow of information collected by health professionals who implemented surveys with patients selected as cases and controls in thirty-six hospitals throughout Spain. Data were collected between November 2009 and September 2011. Results The Project Management strategies designed and implemented in the project successfully support all the tasks related to the fieldwork. Execution time and the percentage of missings in questions regarding vaccination status were significantly reduced between the first and the second year of the project. Conclusion The viability of a project to investigate a public health issue of public and professional concern can be guaranteed by the implementation of a good management strategy and the direct involvement of public health professionals and coordination with physicians.