eCR Now: COVID-19 Electronic Case Reporting for Healthcare Providers
Improve outbreak response with real time data flow
Electronic Case Reporting (eCR) is the automated generation and transmission of case reports from the electronic health record (EHR) to public health agencies for review and action. eCR makes disease reporting from healthcare to public health faster and easier. It moves data securely and seamlessly—from the EHR at the point of care, to data systems at state, territorial, and local agencies. eCR also allows public health to provide information back to healthcare professionals. This timely data sharing provides a real time picture of COVID-19 to support outbreak management.
eCR Now: COVID-19 Electronic Case Reporting for Healthcare Providers pdf icon[PDF – 404 KB]
Map: Healthcare Facilities That Have Implemented COVID-19 Electronic Case Reporting
Join a nationwide network with eCR Now
“Our implementation of eCR improved the quality and timeliness of public health reporting for COVID-19 across the 19 states we serve. This national gateway was a cost-effective solution that helped close critical data gaps in widescale reporting that saved front line providers valuable time and money.”
– Paul Matthews,
Chief Technology Officer, OCHIN, Portland, Oregon
eCR Now is a strategic initiative that allows for rapid adoption and implementation of eCR for COVID-19. It improves COVID-19 reporting immediately, allows expansion to all reportable conditions, and features three components that make it easy to implement:
- Rapid eCR implementation through small cohort groups for provider sites that use an electronic health record (EHR) with eCR capabilities
- eCR Now Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR) app that non-eCR enabled EHRs can rapidly implement to automate eCR for COVID-19
- Extension of the existing eHealth Exchange policy framework through an approved Carequality eCR implementation guide
eCR reduces burden
- Decreases reporting work without disrupting the clinical workflow, allowing more focus on patient care
- Will fulfill your clinicians’ reporting requirements
- Automatically sends required information to all appropriate public health agencies
- Eliminates the need for manual data entry, faxing, or responding to calls from public health agencies
- Offers credit through the Promoting Interoperability Program for implementing eCR
- Is compliant with HIPAA and state reporting laws
- Improves COVID-19 reporting immediately and allows expansion to all reportable conditions
eCR Now implementation is easy
- Onboard in as few as three days with most EHR systems
- Use the Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR) app if your EHR is not eCR-enabled
- Participate through eHealth Exchange or Carequality without additional legal requirements
- Enhance learning and shared experiences with a growing network of implementers nationwide
How to get started
Email ecr@cdc.gov to express interest in onboarding for eCR Now
Learn details about implementing eCR for COVID-19:
APHL Informatics Messaging Services Platformexternal icon
Contact your EHR vendor about implementing eCR now
Consult with leaders in your organization for project approval
Learn more at www.cdc.gov/ecr
eCR is a collaborative effort of the Association of Public Health Laboratories, the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists, and CDC.