The CDC defines electronic case reporting (eCR) as the automated, real-time exchange of case report information between electronic health records (EHRs) and public health agencies.
Traditionally, health care providers need to know the rules for reporting and manually report about cases, or people with conditions of public health concern, to their public health agencies via fax, phone call, or email.
RIDOH uses the HL7 electronic initial case report (eICR) standards (R1.1 and R3) for electronic case reporting and to support the new CMS Promoting Interoperability regulation for eCR. It is these standards that we will use to eventually eliminate manual reporting requirements.
Benefits of eCR
Fulfills legal requirements: eCR allows Medicaid providers to fulfill their legal obligations to report conditions of public health concern with less administrative burden.
Qualifies as a PIP objective: eCR qualifies as an objective for eligible facilities participating in the Promoting Interoperability Program (PIP), formerly called
Meaningful Use.
Enhances surveillance: eCR enhances the efficiency and effectiveness of disease detection, surveillance, investigation, and response.
Increases automation: eCR increases automation, which allows stakeholders to spend more time providing care and preventing and controlling disease among the residents of Rhode Island, especially those who are most vulnerable.
Manual Reporting Versus Electronic Case Reporting(eCR)
Diagnose reportable condition
Enter patient information into EHR
Know rules for reporting
Complete case data manually
Send case report manually and receive delayed feedback and information from the PHA
Diagnose reportable condition
Enter patient information into EHR which automatically triggers and sends a case report
Send case report in real time and receive a reportability response and condition information from the PHA
Participate in eCR
Step 1: Prepare
Verify your electronic health record (EHR) is on the Certified Health IT Products List *Note: For calendar year 2023, eligible hospitals and critical access hospitals (CAHs) attesting to the Medicare Promoting Interoperability Program will be required to only use certified health IT that has been updated consistent with the 2015 Edition Cures Update criteria to successfully meet the CEHRT requirements.
Ensure your EHR product have the capability to submit Health Level 7 (HL7) electronic initial case report (eICR) standards (R1.1 and R3) for electronic case reporting and to support the new CMS Promoting Interoperability regulation for eCR
Enter a testing and validation status where your eCR data undergoes basic testing and validation by AIMS and further testing and validation by RIDOH. IMPORTANT: You must continue your existing reporting method for reportable conditions until you receive official notification from DOH authorizing you to discontinue manual reporting.
Rhode Island Department of Health