eCR Now: COVID-19 Electronic Case Reporting
Improve public health action 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.
eCR Now: COVID-19 Electronic Case Reporting for Public Health Agencies pdf icon[PDF – 168 KB]
Map: Healthcare Facilities That Have Implemented COVID-19 Electronic Case Reporting
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’s Value
- Enables bi-directional data exchange between healthcare providers and public health
- Provides immediate feedback from public health to healthcare about reportable conditions and possible outbreaks
- Reduces burden of manual reporting on healthcare facilities and providers and entry of information on public health agencies
- Improves completeness of reporting, including demographics that allows for expedited case investigation and contact tracing
- eCR provides more complete data from the electronic initial case report for a better public health response
- Reduces response time with automated information during outbreaks and public health emergencies
- Improves communication and collaboration with healthcare providers
- Shares relevant information with healthcare providers
- Monitors the spread of reportable conditions like COVID-19
- eCR reduces burden on healthcare professionals, staff, and facilities without disrupting the clinical workflow
- Fulfills legal reporting requirements
- Streamlines reporting challenges with jurisdictions
- Connects in real-time with your public health agency
- Offers credit for the CMS Promoting Interoperability Program for implementing eCR
- Improves COVID-19 reporting immediately and allows expansion to all reportable conditions
eCR Is Easy to Implement
check light icon Ensure your agency is connected to AIMS, the APHL Informatics Messaging Services Platformexternal icon
check light icon Enter your jurisdiction’s reporting criteria for reportable conditions into the Reportable Condition Knowledge Management System (RCKMS)
check light icon Engage with local healthcare organizations that are ready to implement eCR now
check light icon Email ecr@cdc.gov for information to onboard for eCR Now
check light icon Contact your EHR vendor about implementing eCR now
check light icon Learn details about implementing eCR for COVID-19external icon
check light icon Obtain necessary approval from organizational leadership and implement eCR now