Gamma Regressive Individuals Control Charts for Influenza Activity

ABSTRACT

Statistical process control has been considered along with generalized linear models of influenza activity. Different combinations of distribution and link assumptions have been formally compared in order to choose one that would seem theoretically appropriate. Specificity of gamma regression–based individuals control charts for influenza activity has been estimated and compared to begin answering the important question: What are reasonable expectations about errors associated with outbreak detection? Results include performance among gamma regression–based charts for laboratory data that is relatively near what one should expect from traditional process control. It is shown how more theoretically appropriate statistically quality control models of flu activity become increasingly specific and so useful in identifying non-seasonal outbreaks. And it is shared how this research is being applied in practice.

KEYWORDS:

• control charts
• gamma regression
• influenza surveillance
• linear models
• process control

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND DISCLAIMER

This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. EEC0214478. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.