Menu Measure 10
Syndromic Surveillance Data Submission
Objective:
Capability to submit electronic syndromic surveillance data to public health agencies and actual submission according to applicable law and practice.
Measure:
Performed at least one test of certified EHR technology's capacity to provide electronic syndromic surveillance data to public health agencies and follow-up submission if the test is successful (unless none of the public health agencies to which an eligible professional submits such information has the capacity to receive the information electronically).
CMS Resources
The following resource is available to help you meet the Syndromic Surveillance Data Submission meaningful use menu measure:
- EHR Meaningful Use Specification Sheet for Eligible Professionals – Menu Measure 10 of 10 [PDF - 151 KB]
Related CMS EHR Incentive Program Frequently Asked Questions
Lessons from the Field
"Understanding how both your vendor and state handle the submission of syndromic surveillance data and their processes is a key first step to successfully implementing this meaningful use requirement."
— Barbara Tergis, RN, BSN, Office Manager, Family Practice, Hastings on Hudson, N.Y
The methods and processes used to submit public health information, such as syndromic surveillance data, differ across EHR vendors and states. To meet meaningful use requirements, each practice needs to work with its vendor as well as understand its respective state registry to determine how best to submit the required information. Some questions a practice might ask include:
- Does my vendor require our practice to purchase a separate interface to submit this data?
- Is the data submitted through a batch submission from the vendor or can it be submitted through a health information exchange (HIE)?
- Does my state have an electronic immunization registry?
- If so, does my EHR have the capability to submit immunization status electronically?
- If not, what is my state's preferred methodology for submission of immunization status?
National Learning Consortium Resources
The following resources on syndromic surveillance data submission are examples of tools that are used in the field today. These tools have been recommended by "boots-on-the-ground" professionals for use by others who have made the commitment to implement or upgrade to certified EHR systems.
Learn more about The National Learning Consortium.
Reference in this web site to any specific resources, tools, products, process, service, manufacturer, or company does not constitute its endorsement or recommendation by the U.S. Government or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
| National Learning Consortium Resources | ||
|---|---|---|
| Resource Name | Description | Source |
|
Final Recommendation - Core Processes and EHR Requirements for Public Health Syndromic Surveillance
|
Report that describes public health syndromic surveillance (PHSS) business processes and a core set of EHR requirements to support current syndromic surveillance practices – to provide a framework for system redesign. |
International Society for Disease Surveillance (ISDS) |
Related CMS EHR Incentive Program Frequently Asked Questions
- #3615 - For the meaningful use objective “Capability to submit electronic syndromic surveillance data to public health agencies,” what is the definition of "syndromic surveillance"?
- #3461 - To meet the public health meaningful use objectives (submitting information to an immunization registry, reporting lab results to a public health agency, or reporting syndromic surveillance information), does a provider have to send information directly from their certified EHR technology to the appropriate receiving entity or can they use an intermediary such as an HIE or another third-party software vendor?
- #3371 - If my certified EHR technology only includes the capability to submit information to an immunization registry using the HL7 2.3.1 standard but the immunization registry only accepts information formatted in the HL7 2.5.1 or some other standard, will I qualify for an exclusion because the immunization registry does not have the capacity to receive the information electronically? What if the immunization registry has a waiting list or is unable to test for other reasons but can accept information formatted in HL7 2.3.1, is that still a valid exclusion?
- #3119 - Will the requirement that EPs and eligible hospitals choose at least one public health objective among the meaningful use measures still apply to those States that ask CMS for approval to change the definition of meaningful use?
- #2883 - If an EP is unable to meet the measure of a meaningful use objective because it is outside of the scope of his or her practice, will the EP be excluded from meeting the measure of that objective?
- #2903 - How should EPs select menu objectives?
For additional questions around meaningful use, visit the CMS EHR Incentive Program Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).
