Electronic Laboratory-Based Reporting: Opportunities and Challenges for Surveillance
2001
Electronic Laboratory-Based Reporting: Opportunities and Challenges for Surveillance
publication
Author Information
Author(s): Daniel B. Jernigan
Primary Institution: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Hypothesis
Is electronic laboratory-based reporting (ELR) more effective than traditional reporting methods for public health surveillance?
Conclusion
Effective use of ELR will require overcoming several challenges, but it is likely to improve public health surveillance.
Supporting Evidence
- ELR increased the number of reports 2.3 times and reports arrived 4 days earlier in Hawaii.
- Feasibility of using HL7 with standardized codes was demonstrated in Washington and Texas.
- Commercial off-the-shelf messaging software has been used in Minnesota and Oregon for standard electronic messages.
Takeaway
This study talks about how using computers to report lab results can help public health officials get information faster and more completely.
Limitations
Many smaller laboratories lack the technology for ELR, and some states have regulations that are not suited for electronic reporting.
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