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Six Steps to Set Up Syndromic Surveillance Using EARS

Flowchart of the six steps to set up syndromic surveillance using EARS
View enlarged flowchart.

 

Step 1. 

Gather data to analyze and store in one of the following formats:

  • SAS dataset,
  • Microsoft Access database table,
  • Microsoft Excel worksheet, or
  • Any delimited text file.

See the Data Requirements section for more information on the type of variables required within the data.
   

Step 2. 

Install SAS. The SAS license should include the following at minimum:

  • Base SAS,
  • SAS/GRAPH,
  • SAS/STAT, and
  • SAS Access for PC File Formats.

You may be able to use the CDC SAS license if you currently receive funding from a CDC grant or cooperative agreement. Contact your CDC Project Officer for information on your eligibility.
   

Step 3. 

Download and Install EARS.  Both EARS-SAS versions are available for download and explained here.
   

Step 4. 

Specify your analyses using the EARS Wizard (version 5.0) or complete the User_Input_For_EARS.xls spreadsheet (version 4.5) in the EARS folder.

   

Step 5. 

Execute your EARS analysis. This step can be automated to run at a specified time each day.
   

Step 6. 

View the EARS output: HTML reports in version 4.5, or both in an interactive module and as HTML reports using version 5.0.  These reports can easily be placed on an intranet or internet site.

Version 4.5 sample output
(View enlarged image)

Sample EARS 30-day graph report. Click to view enlarged image.

Version 5.0 sample output
(View enlarged image)

Version 5.0 sample output

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