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South Dakota Department of Health
South Dakota Department of Health

Health Data & Reports

Electronic Lab Reporting

Electronic Laboratory Reporting (ELR) is the automated, secure, and standardized method for transmitting laboratory test results for reportable conditions directly from laboratories (e.g., clinical, hospital, or commercial) directly to public health authorities. ELR ensures that critical laboratory data, including test results, patient demographics, and provider information, are shared quickly and accurately with public health authorities to support disease surveillance and timely public health response.

Historically, laboratories have reported positive test results through manual methods such as fax, phone calls, or secure online portals. ELR streamlines this process by electronically transmitting standardized messages using HL7 message formats, which improves both the speed and completeness of reporting.

Benefits of ELR:

  • Improves reporting timeliness and completeness, helping detect outbreaks earlier and enabling faster public health action.
  • Reduces manual reporting burden on laboratory and public health staff.
  • Decreases follow-up phone calls and requests for additional information by including required data elements in the initial report.
  • Ensures compliance with South Dakota Administrative Rule 44:20 for mandatory reporting of reportable diseases and conditions.
  • Supports efficient disease surveillance and investigation processes through automated, structured data transmission.
  • Facilitates reporting to multiple jurisdictions, if applicable.

Get Started with ELR:

  1. Check that your laboratory information system (LIS) is ready for ELR. Review the South Dakota ELR Readiness and Implementation Checklist
  2. Verify ELR prerequisites are met and your EMR is able to generate an electronic lab report in accordance with the published HL7 message standards.
  3. Complete the ELR Connection Questionnaire to notify SDDOH and HealthLink that your organization is ready to onboard ELR reporting.
  4. Contact SDDOH if you have any questions. Please email DOH.Informatics@state.sd.us.

Important: The process of onboarding ELR reporting in production can take several months. Healthcare facilities and providers should continue to manually or electronically report notifiable conditions through the current processes in use.

Additional Resources: