How Pathology Labs Can Start Using Electronic Reporting
CDC’s National Program of Cancer Registries encourages laboratories to submit reportable cancer data directly to registries. Participating laboratories benefit from electronic pathology (ePath) reporting by—
- Satisfying reporting requirements.
- Using CDC’s Public Health Information Network Messaging System (PHINMS) for secure data transport to registries for free, reducing cost.
- Reducing time spent generating reports as electronic reporting is implemented.
Electronic Pathology Reporting Implementation Process
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Expresses interest in electronic reporting.
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Requirements for implementing electronic pathology reports using the NAACCR Volume V standard.
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Development of HL7 v.2.5.1 observation report—unsolicited mode message.
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Using PHINMS or another transport tool.
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Test data sent from laboratories to the registry, finalize the HL7 structure, and ensure that the filtering method used to pull cancer cases works properly.
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Several states compare the electronic files to paper pathology reports before the laboratory begins reporting to all state cancer registries.
Who to Contact to Get Started
- If your laboratory serves residents in one state or territory, contact your central cancer registry.
- If your laboratory serves residents in multiple states or territories, contact NPCR.
The following information will be helpful to assess your laboratory’s readiness to report cases electronically—
- Laboratory information system (LIS).
- Ability to report using HL7 2.5.1 with SPM segment.
- Ability to assign an ICD-10-CM code to cancer cases.
- Use of CAP electronic cancer checklists (eCC).
- Estimated annual volume of cancer cases.
- Ability to filter cancer cases by patient address (state of residence) or location of ordering provider/facility.
- Ability to send batched reports and how often (daily, weekly, or monthly).
- Do the patients you provide service to reside in one or multiple states?