Health departments nationwide are switching from paper-based to electronic laboratory reporting (ELR) systems, which will expedite reporting of diseases and medical conditions such as HIV and hepatitis, according to an Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL) statement. The Bureau of Laboratory Services, Epidemiology and IT of the Houston Department of Health and Human Services is the most recent convert. ELR has also been adopted in Arizona, Iowa, Michigan and Rhode Island and the city of Philadelphia. Several other areas are in the process of implementing the system.

To read the APHL statement, click here.