Electronic laboratory reporting (ELR) is the electronic transmission of reportable condition results from laboratories to public health. The Electronic Laboratory and Disease Reporting Subcommittee provides a forum for discussing issues specifically related to the implementation of ELR and disease reporting, including the National Electronic Disease Surveillance System (NEDSS).

CSTE aims to share best practices with the CSTE membership and assist states seeking novel surveillance solutions. CSTE routinely collects information on states’ electronic disease surveillance systems. The 2010 NEDSS assessment summary and the 2007 NEDSS assessment summary provide information on state capabilities and recommendations.

• Informative Documents
  • The Roadmap to ELR workgroup report provides guidance on steps required and resources needed to implement or advance ELR in a jurisdiction. It includes a process checklist, a resource skills list, and a document of state profiles and cost estimates.
  • List of existing Electronic Laboratory Data Exchange Projects Environmental Scan
  • National assessment of ELR-related legal issues
  • A Communications Plan for ELR Stakeholders lists ELR-related meetings, resources for ELR, and stakeholders involved in ELR.

• Implementation Guides
  • ELR Guide HL7 2.5.1 is an implementation guide for ELR data transactions using version 2.5.1 of the HL7 standard protocol. Adherence to this guide is required to meet the requirements for Meaningful Use Stage I.
  • Errata and clarifications for the HL7 Version 2.5.1 Implementation Guide is now available for HL7 members and for purchase by non-members.

• Tools
  • The Reportable Conditions Mapping Tables (RCMT) provide a map between LOINC test codes, SNOMED result codes, and their associated reportable conditions. The RCMT is now available for use through PHIN VADS and include mappings for all nationally notifiable conditions that have lab tests. In addition, many additional jurisdictionally-reportable conditions have been mapped.
  • The ELR Translation tool downgrades ELR HL7 2.5.1 messages to HL7 2.31 and also upgrades ELR HL7 2.3.1 messages to HL7 2.5.1. This tool has been developed using the Orion™ Health Symphonia Messaging and Mapping Tool and is available for distribution to HL7 members.

• Training Materials
  • Meaningful Use (MU) 101 Presentation for ELR provides a basic background on Meaningful Use and includes more specific information on the Reportable Lab Results Stage I Meaningful Use objective for public health.
  • Defining Key Health Information Technology Terms (April 2009) provides a listing of key terms and definitions compiled in the National Alliance for Health Information Technology Report to the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology.
  • HIMSS Meaningful Use Acronyms (February 2011) provides a listing of Meaningful Use acronyms.
  • MU FAQs are available to answer questions specific to the three Stage I Public Health objectives.

• White Papers
  • The ELR Task Force LIS Vendors Whitepaper describes options for LIS Vendors to implement ELR, along with advantages and challenges associated with each option. The paper was developed based on input from the LIS Vendor Survey results. The LIS Vendor Survey Results summarizes results from the 2010 LIS Vendor survey conducted by the Taskforce. The survey was intended to understand LIS Vendors' familiarity with Stage I Meaning Use population health objectives.
  • The ELR Task Force Large Labs Whitepaper describes challenges faced by large labs in implementing ELR and suggests actions that can be taken to alleviate the challenges and streamline ELR nationwide.