Electronic Case Reporting

Electronic case reporting (eCR) is the automated identification and transmission of reportable health events from the electronic health record (EHR) to state and local public health departments. Because eCR uses a consensus set of trigger events and a standardized format, EHR vendors can incorporate automated case reporting into the medical record systems consistently across the nation, minimizing development time and simplifying disease reporting for providers. Because the EHR is the data source for case reports, eCR will improve the completeness of patient contact, clinical, and epidemiologic information to jump start case investigations.

Like electronic laboratory reporting, eCR seeks to reduce the reporting burden for providers while improving the timeliness and accuracy of surveillance data at the local, state, and national levels.

Learn more about eCR specifications from the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act and Meaningful Use.