Towards Estimation of Electronic Laboratory Reporting Volumes in a Meaningful Use World

Introduction The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 authorized the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to incentivize hospitals and physicians to become meaningful users of electronic health record (EHR) systems. In a final rule issued August 2012, CMS outlined the requirements for Stage 2 meaningful use to be effective in 2014 (1). The Stage 2 criteria require eligible hospitals to submit electronic laboratory reports to health departments. While many state health departments receive some portion of notifiable disease reports electronically, the final Stage 2 rule is likely to increase the volume of incoming electronic reports. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are urging health departments to prepare for the sharp increase in electronic laboratory reporting (ELR). Crucial to preparedness is estimation of how many ELR reports can be expected. However, few health departments have experience with high volume ELR, making estimation difficult. The Indiana Network for Patient Care (INPC), a regional health information exchange, has been processing high volumes of ELR for over a decade (2). To support health departments estimate potential ELR increases, the INPC examined its current volumes from hospitals with advanced EHR capabilities.