NORSDirect

Reporting sites can import data by logging into NORSDirect and selecting an Excel file to upload.

NORSDirect allows multiple outbreak reports to be uploaded into NORS at once. The general flow of information into NORSDirect is as follows:

1. Report data are downloaded or pulled from the reporting site’s outbreak database.
2. Any report data from multiple sources are combined into a single Excel file.
3. File is uploaded to NORSDirect.
4. Individual reports are extracted from the file and saved to NORS.
5. Report data are automatically checked for errors. Errors can be corrected directly in the NORS interface, or by uploading a new file containing the corrected data.

Reporting site administrators (RSAs) and Agency Administrators can be assigned full access to NORSDirect in the User section of NORS. RSAs should automatically have access to NORSDirect.

To view NORSDirect, log in to NORS. On the NORS Home screen the ‘Data Import’ tab on the left side panel should take users to the ‘NORS Direct-Data Import’ page. For assistance with access, contact the CDC NORS team.

Here are four important things you need to know:

1. Uploaded report data may overwrite or delete data in existing NORS reports. Deleted/overwritten data CANNOT be retrieved.
2. If you upload a report that has the same StateID as an existing NORS report, you will overwrite the existing NORS report. NORSDirect matches outbreak reports to existing NORS records for your reporting site based on the StateID variable alone.
3. Test files are a good way to learn how to use NORSDirect. All new users are strongly encouraged to submit at least one test file before uploading real outbreak data. Include a StateID that begins with “Test”, e.g. “Test_LTCF-155” and set the required field DateFirstIll to “1/1/1950” so that the report can be quickly identified. After uploading the file, check that the outbreak reports saved as expected, then delete the reports in NORS.
4. The CDC NORS team is here to help! Contact NORSAdmin@cdc.gov for assistance, questions, and comments.

Here are five key things to remember:

1. NORSDirect supports Excel files up to 4 megabytes.
2. Every file must have six required variables for every report: StateID, AgencyName, ReportingState, PrimaryMode, DateFirstIll, EstimatedPrimary. Note: For multistate exposure and multistate residency outbreaks, the State# variable is also required.
3. Excel files should use the variable names found on the Data Specification page. These should be in the first row. When there are multiple reports in the file, each variable has its own column, with one report per row.
4. If splitting data across multiple worksheets in a single Excel workbook, repeat the StateID and AgencyName columns once on each worksheet. Variables should be organized into their designated worksheets, as defined on the Data Specification page.
5. Your list values do not have to match NORS if you use the List Value Mapping page to map them to NORS values. Mapped values must be entered prior to upload for NORS to correctly import the data.

The NORS team can provide technical support for sites interested in implementing NORSDirect.

For further assistance, questions, or comments, please contact the CDC NORS Team at NORSAdmin@cdc.gov.