CDC Publishes Updated Message Mapping Guides, Opens General Onboarding for STD and Congenital Syphilis

CDC posted updated versions of the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System (NNDSS) HL7 STD (v1.0.2, v1.1.0) and congenital syphilis (CS) (v1.0.1, v1.1.0) message mapping guides (MMGs) to the NNDSS Technical Resource Center.  CDC also is opening up general onboarding to all jurisdictions for STD and CS.

Please note that STD v1.1.0 and CS v1.1.0 are the preferred versions to start; however, CDC will continue to support STD v1.0.2 or CS v1.0.1 for onboarding. For jurisdictions currently implementing previous MMG versions (STD v1.0, STD v1.0.1, or CS v1.0), they should adopt STD v1.0.2 or CS v1.0.1 to have the most updated value sets and assess their systems for when they can move to STD v1.1.0 or CS v1.1.0.

MMG Updates
The updated MMG versions include the following:

• Updated data elements STD v1.1.0 and CS v1.1.0
  • added 14 data elements for STD v1.1.0 mostly focused on medications and complications
  • added 7 data elements for CS v1.1.0 focused on the lab interpretative section and linking to maternal cases
  • changed the name of 2 data elements for STD v1.1.0
  • changed the name of 2 data elements for CS v1.1.0
• Updated value sets STD (v1.0.2, v1.1.0) and CS (v1.0.1, v1.1.0)
  • value sets added to STD v1.1.0 and CS v1.1.0 for new data elements
  • values added to STD v1.1.0 and STD v1.0.2 value sets for shared data elements; value sets include
    • Lab Test Type (STD)
    • Lab Test Result Qualitative (NND)
    • Organism Identified AST (STD)
    • Specimen Source (STD)
    • Drugs Used (STD)
  • values added to CS v1.1.0 and CS v1.0.1 value sets for shared data elements; value sets include
    • Test Type (Syphilis)
    • Lab Test Result Qualitative (NND)
    • Country
  • Formatting updates
    • prioritization based on CDC’s R, 1,2,3 format
    • updated introduction and additional notes specifying that these guides are compatible with all version 3 series PHIN Spec guides and the exact version of the PHIN Spec used should be included in the MSH header.

Onboarding Information
Onboarding for the STD and CS MMGs is now open to all jurisdictions. The NNDSS team and the CDC STD and CS programs will work with jurisdictions to validate their HL7 messages by using these new MMGs. Jurisdictions who have completed work by using older versions of the MMGs should review the current versions and consider implementing them before onboarding. The NNDSS team understands that states have other emergency response needs that may take precedence at this time and is opening the onboarding process for these MMGs for jurisdictions who are interested.

Other NNDSS HL7 MMGs open for general onboarding are the following:

• arboviral v1.3
• congenital syphilis v1.x
• coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
• generic v2
• hepatitis
• STD v1.x.

The following additional resources are available on the NNDSS Technical Assistance and Training Resource Center to help jurisdictions implement message mapping guides:

• implementation and onboarding details for arboviral v1.3 and all other conditions
• guidance on receiving technical assistance
• eSHARE webinars (recordings of webinars and slide decks)
• Secure Access Management Services access tools
• job aids related to onboarding and technical assistance
• Message Evaluation and Testing Service tool
• MMGs, implementation spreadsheets, test case scenario worksheets, and program guidance.

CDC is receiving, processing, and provisioning data in the new HL7 format through the Message Validation, Processing, and Provisioning System as the result of collaboration by teams across CDC and our partners at the Association of Public Health Laboratories, Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists, and several jurisdictions who piloted these guides. These pilot jurisdictions have been invaluable to the NNDSS effort by providing their time and expertise during the piloting process.

About NNDSS
CDC conducts case surveillance through NNDSS. In the case surveillance process, about 3,000 health departments gather and use data on disease cases to protect their local communities. Through NNDSS, CDC receives and uses these data to keep people healthy and defend America from health threats.

As technology, data, and exchange standards evolve, CDC is strengthening and modernizing the infrastructure that supports NNDSS. As part of the Data Modernization Initiative, CDC is enhancing the ability of NNDSS to provide comprehensive, timely, and high-quality data for public health decision-making. Through this multi-year initiative, CDC is making the NNDSS technological infrastructure more robust so that it is based on interoperable, standardized data and exchange mechanisms.

For questions about the updated guides or to begin onboarding, please reach out to the CDC Electronic Data Exchange mailbox at edx@cdc.gov. For more information about NNDSS, please access the NNDSS website at https://www.cdc.gov/nndss/.

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