JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

The COVID-19 outbreak required prompt actions by health authorities around the world, in response to a novel threat. Handling such a global crisis mandates the utilization of all available and relevant data to promote prudent decisions and policy making. In addition, the complexity of the events calls for the involvement of multiple disciplines joining to provide a comprehensive view of the problem and potential solutions. With enormous amount of information originating in sources with uncertain degree of validation and accuracy, it is essential to provide executive level stakeholders with the most actionable, pertinent and updated data analysis to enable them to adapt their strategy and approach swiftly and competently. Based on these principles, we report here the origination of a COVID-19 dedicated response in the IDF with the assembly of an operational Data Center for the Campaign against Coronavirus (ID3C). Spearheaded by directors with clinical, operational and data analytics orientation a multidisciplinary team utilized existing and newly developed platforms to collect and analyze large amounts of information for each individual in the context of SARS-CoV2 contraction and infection. With one central data lake in place, using basic as well as advanced analytic tools ranging from simple aggregation and display of trends to data-science application we aimed to provide commanders and clinicians with access to trusted, accurate and personalized information and tools to foster operational changes and mitigate the propagation of the pandemic and avoid confusion and disinformation resulting from ceaseless flux of information. We sought to share lessons learned from our experience that could hopefully serve others in their response to the ambiguous nature of this unprecedented global crisis.