New York State ELR – Now That All of the Labs are Reporting, What's Next?

For the past few years, most of the discussions surrounding electronic laboratory reporting (ELR) have been about “How do we implement ELR?” and “How do we get labs to report electronically?”.  In New York State with roughly 95 percent of laboratory reports now being reported through the Electronic Clinical Laboratory Reporting System (ECLRS) and with electronic reporting mandated by both New York State and New York City, the question is “What is needed next to improve electronic reporting?”

           New initiatives being considered include: improving the reporting of patient address, bi-directional exchange of information with laboratories, standardizing file formats, incorporating PHIN-MS with transmissions, and communications between health jurisdictions.  The New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) and the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYCDOHMH) have jointly created a survey of all laboratories to better understand the testing and reporting specifications at each facility.  Both jurisdictions also held regional meetings throughout New York State with laboratory, local health department and regional staff to communicate what the NYSDOH & NYCDOHMH are looking to receive, inform them of new requirements within the health code, provide updates on and modifications to ECLRS, and to listen to questions and concerns that the laboratory staff have about electronic reporting to try to improve ECLRS for their use. 

Currently there is limited experience with addressing issues that arise after implementing ELR. This session will focus on a discussion of what New York State and New York City plan to do next.