The complete picture of Electronic Laboratory Reporting (ELR) in the US actually encompasses a much wider scope than is often realized. Hard-working laboratory and public health people tend to focus, understandably, on their particular portion of the process. A view of the entire design helps to clarify the purpose of the labor, and also lends greater understanding of the complexities involved and greater appreciation for the contributions of the many people engaged in this work.

ELR Process Steps - Laboratory, Local Health Department, State Health Department, CDC

The complete picture of Electronic Laboratory Reporting (ELR) in the US actually encompasses a much wider scope than is often realized. Hard-working laboratory and public health people tend to focus, understandably, on their particular portion of the process. However, a view of the entire design helps to clarify the purpose of the labor, and also lends greater understanding of the complexities involved and greater appreciation for the contributions of the many people engaged in this work.

Members of this panel presentation are recruited from the different categories most closely involved with ELR. The members will represent a large national laboratory, a local-level public health department, a state public health department, and the CDC.

An introductory data flow schematic created by the moderator will visually correlate the different viewpoints. To better contrast the similarities and differences at each point in the overall ELR process, each representative will follow the same presentation outline by answering, from their unique perspective, the following question set:

• For your work in ELR, where and how do the data originate?
• What work is necessary in order to accept these data?
• What is the final format and purpose of the data output(s) created?
• Describe the work required for you to create/maintain this(these) data output(s)?
• Identify the most significant challenges to successful completion of your work? 
• With what partners do you most frequently interact as a result of your ELR work?