Electronic Case Reporting

Electronic Case Reporting (eCR) Overview

Electronic case reporting (eCR) is the automated, real-time exchange of case report information between electronic health records (EHRs) and public health agencies.

Traditionally, healthcare providers need to know the rules for mandatory disease reporting and send case reports by fax, phone, or email. With eCR, this process is automatic. The EHR sends case reports directly to public health agencies without any manual steps.

Benefits of eCR:

  • Less work for providers to report
  • No manual data entry need
  • Faster, more complete, and more accurate disease surveillance data

North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services (NDHHS) is ready to onboard and receive eCR messages. Check if your EHR/health IT product is approved for general onboarding according to the CDC. However, NDHHS is currently setting up eCR in our Electronic Disease Surveillance System. Manual reporting methods for all reportable conditions must continue.

NDHHS can only receive eCR messages for mandatory reportable conditions. A full list is available on our website. If your facility does not treat or diagnose any reportable diseases in North Dakota, you may qualify for an exemption from Promoting Interoperability Program requirements.

Onboarding Requirements

To start using eCR, your facility should:

  1. Coordinate with your EHR vendor, the CDC eCR Onboarding Team, and APHL to set up eCR within your EHR system. Connect with APHL AIMS.
  2. Register your intent with NDHHS by completing the Promoting Interoperability Program registration form.
  3. Review the checklist on the APHL AIMS website.
  4. Confirm that your EHR supports Health Level 7 (HL7) electronic initial case report (eICR) and Reportability Response (RR) standards.
  5. Conduct full triggering of eICRs for all conditions. Use Electronic Reporting and Surveillance Distribution (eRSD) version 3 or higher.

To learn more about eCR reporting and how to implement eCR, please visit these resources:

If you have questions, please contact us at disease@nd.gov or 701-328-3278, 711 (TTY).