The use of control charts in health-care and public-health surveillance

There are many applications of control charts in health-care monitoring and in public-health surveillance. We introduce these applications to industrial practitioners and discuss some of the ideas that arise that may be applicable in industrial monitoring. The advantages and disadvantages of the charting methods proposed in the health-care and public-health areas are considered. Some additional contributions in the industrial statistical process control literature relevant to this area are given. There are many application and research opportunities available in the use of control charts for health-related monitoring.