Abstract
During a severe heat wave in Michigan in 2012, heat-related Emergency Department cases were identified using the Michigan Emergency Department (ED) Syndromic Surveillance System. Heat-related ED visits were analyzed by patient age, gender, and chief complaint. These ad hoc enhanced analyses were performed by Michigan Department of Community Health epidemiologists and provided to public health partners for situational awareness and to guide their responses to the heat event. Significant differences in the patterns of heat-related illnesses were observed during the heat-wave period compared to a reference period.