What is ELR?
Electronic Laboratory Reporting (ELR) for public health is the transmission of digital laboratory reports, often from laboratories to state and local public health departments, healthcare systems, and CDC.
How CDC Supports ELR Implementation and Data Interoperability
CDC supports and monitors ELR implementations at the national level, such as through provision of funding to health departments to support ELR through programs such as the Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity for Prevention and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases (ELC) cooperative agreement. CDC also provides technical assistance, reports on the status of ELR, and works together with partners to ensure the continued success of public health ELR. Public health agencies and laboratories who report using ELR strengthen rapid reporting of state reportable diseases and enhance surveillance and preparedness capacity.
ELR contributes to data interoperability between hospitals, healthcare systems, public health departments, and CDC. Promoting data interoperability is intended to improve clinical patient care and increase administrative efficiency.
APHL ELR Fact Sheet
Learn more about the history of ELR and how it works through the Association of Public Health Laboratories’ ELR fact sheet [PDF – 1 page]
For More Information on ELR:
Contact CDC’s ELR team at EDX@cdc.gov
Get more information about ELR and technical assistance at the Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL) Electronic Laboratory Reporting Technical Assistance page.