Public Service Message

Better Information Means Better Care: Health Information Technology

Syndromic Surveillance Reporting for New York City Providers

Syndromic surveillance reporting is given as a public health reporting option for Meaningful Use. Providers should perform at least one test of data submission and follow-up submission to qualify for this option.

Syndromic Surveillance- Meaningful Use Requirements

Objective:

  • Eligible Professionals - Capability to submit electronic syndromic surveillance data to public health agencies and actual submission in accordance with applicable law and practice
  • Eligible Hospitals and CAHs - Capability to submit electronic syndromic surveillance data to public health agencies and actual submission in accordance with applicable law and practice
  • At this time, New York City is accepting Syndromic Surveillance data from Eligible Professionals AND eligible hospitals.

Measure: Performed at least one test of certified EHR technology's capacity to provide electronic syndromic surveillance data to public health agencies and follow-up submission if the test is successful

  • Final Rule Certification Language:
    • Final Rule Text - Public health surveillance. Electronically record, modify, retrieve, and submit syndrome-based public health surveillance information in accordance with the standard (and applicable implementation specifications)
  • Content Exchange Standards and Implementation Specifications
    • HL7 2.3, or HL7 2.5.1, and Implementation Specifications Public Health Information Network HL7 2.5 Message.
      • CMS and ONC Final Rules do not elaborate on the type of "syndrome-based public health surveillance information" to be retrieved, modified, recorded or submitted. However, the CMS Final Rule states: "This test must include the transfer of either actual or 'dummy' data to the chosen public health agency." (75 FR Page 44368)
  • Exclusions:
    • Eligible Professionals qualify for exclusion if:
      • They do not collect any reportable syndromic information on their patients during the EHR reporting period OR
      • No public health agency has the capacity to receive the information electronically
    • Eligible Hospitals and Critical Access Hospitals (CAH) qualify for exclusion if no public health agency to which the eligible hospital or CAH submits such information has the capacity to receive the information electronically

Syndromic Surveillance - Meaningful Use Testing Process

New York City is accepting emergency department syndromic surveillance data from eligible hospitals. NYC is using the PHIN messaging guide as a starting point for ED meaningful use data.

New York City is currently able to accept syndromic surveillance data from eligible professionals. A messaging guide has been developed that specifies the data to be reported as well as the HL7 message format. Only aggregate count data will be accepted at this time. The messaging guide may be received by emailing the contact below for Eligible Professionals.

Contact

Other Public Health Stage 1 Meaningful Use Criteria