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Research Overview

Dr. Olson's research focuses on examining parameters that effect the detection of disease outbreaks that are relatively small in size but characterized by spatial clustering. Detection algorithms are evaluated by inserting simulated clusters that vary on parameters of interest into historical data from hospital emergency departments.

Research Background

Karen Olson received her PhD from Wayne State University. She completed post-doctoral work at the University of Geneva, Switzerland, and the University of Regensburg, Germany.

Selected Publications

  1. Olson KL, Bonetti M, Pagano M, Mandl KD. Real time spatial cluster detection using interpoint distances among precise patient locations. BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making, 2005, 5:19.
  2. Olson KL, Bonetti M, Pagano M, Mandl KD. A population- adjusted stable geospatial baseline for outbreak detection in syndromic surveillance. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, Syndromic Surveillance Reports, 2004, 53:231.
  3. Beitel AJ, Olson KL, Reis BY, Mandl KD. Use of emergency department chief complaint and diagnostic codes for identifying respiratory illness in a pediatric population. Pediatric Emergency Care, 2004, 20:355-360.

Publications