Public Health Information Network (PHIN)

Guides

Case Notification for Varicella v2.0

Case Notification Standards for Varicella and Guidelines for Implementation

There are currently 3 case notification standards for Varicella: the NETSS.dat format, PHIN Case Notification Guide for Varicella Version 1.0, and PHIN Case Notification Guide for Varicella Version 2.0. The following table defines how they standards may be applied to meet CDC recommendations for Varicella case notification.

Standard	Description	Application for Case Notification
NETSS.dat file	NETSS is the legacy standard that is currently in use for transmission of both individual case and summary case reports. All reporting jurisdictions should continue to send individual varicella case notifications until they transition to sending Varicella case notifications using the appropriate HL7 PHIN Case Notification Guide. For summary case notifications, the NETSS.dat file format should be used until a summary standard is published and includes Varicella.	For Individual-level Case Reports: Continue to use the NETSS file format until successful transition to appropriate PHIN Case Notification Standard for Varicella For Summary-Level Case Reports: Continue to use the NETSS file format until a PHIN Summary Case Notification Standard is published that includes Varicella.
PHIN Case Notification Guide Varicella Version 1.0	Version 1.0 of the PHIN Case Notification Guide for Varicella was published in 2008 and applies to individual-level case reports, but not summary case reports. Reporting Jurisdictions may use this version to satisfy case notification recommendations until 12/31/2010. The CDC Program anticipates, by the end of 2010, that reporting jurisdictions have transitioned to the desired message mapping guide version 2.0 for Varicella. Any jurisdictions engaging in HL7 messaging for Varicella after 12/31/2008 is requested to utilize the version 2.0 standard.	For Individual-level Case Reports: May be used for case notification for Varicella for jurisdictions engaging prior to 12/31/2008. Partners who have already implemented Varicella 1.0 prior to 12/31/2008 may continue to satisfy case notification recommendations through 12/31/2010. By that time, the CDC Program hopes those jurisdictions implement the desired 2.0 standard. Jurisdictions wishing to implement HL7 case notifications for Varicella after 12/31/2008 should utilize version 2.0.
PHIN Case Notification Guide Varicella Version 2.0	Version 2.0 of the PHIN Case Notification Guide for Varicella was published in 2009 and applies to individual-level case reports only. Reporting Jurisdictions may use this version to satisfy case notification recommendations until such time as surveillance needs require the guide to be updated.* Any jurisdictions engaging in HL7 messaging for Varicella after 12/31/2008 is requested to utilize the version 2.0 standard.	For Individual-level Case Reports Only: May be used for case notification for Varicella for jurisdictions engaging after 12/31/2008. Jurisdictions already sending Varicella 1.0 case notifications should transition to version 2.0 by 12/31/2010.
*Versions of PHIN Case Notification Guides for any Nationally Notifiable Condition (NNC) may change as surveillance needs require, but not more frequently than annually. After a guide is changed, reporting jurisdictions will be given ample time to transition to a newer version (as defined by CDC and reporting partners). Examples of circumstances that may require changes to a case notification guide include, but are not limited to the following: a new or emerging condition, changes in variables or notification criteria voted on at the annual Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE) meeting, change in reporting jurisdiction or CDC program needs, etc.

CDC is dedicated to working with state partners to transition to HL7 v2.5 messaging for submitting case notifications. CDC will guide state partners through the HL7 v2.5 case notification process to ensure the HL7 structure and message content are validated before moving to production.

Before you begin the HL7 implementation process, please contact CDC by sending an email to PHINtech@cdc.gov. The subject of the email should be, "HL7 Case Notification," and be sure to indicate which message mapping guide(s) you will implement.

Download these documents to get started:	Download
Case Notification HL7 Implementation Checklist
Case Notification HL7 Implementation Checklist for NBS states
PHIN-MS and SDN Instructions
Varicella 2.0
Varicella Case Notification MMG v2.0
Varicella PHIN-VADS
Varicella Test Case Scenarios 2.0
Varicella Form Mapped to the PHIN variables
PHIN Notification Message Specification Profile v 2.0
Transmit Condition Report Message Use Case (referenced in the above document)	Coming Soon