Texas

Electronic health records are mandated in Texas, but electronic reporting of child blood lead level (BLL) test results is not mandated. Manual data entry of records requires a significant amount of resources and is prone to human error. Maintaining a database of more than 10 million BLL records, the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) increased electronic reporting of BLL test results from 84% to nearly 87% of all records from 2014 to 2016. Still, it continued to receive an overwhelming number of hard copy results for processing―an additional 75,000 results in 2016 alone. Furthermore, the Texas Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (TX CLPPP) used a separate database for tracking the investigation and coordination of higher BLL cases. A more efficient approach was needed for collecting and reporting BLL data.

TX CLPPP developed a pilot program to increase electronic reporting of BLL results by large healthcare providers and facilities. TX CLPPP developed a user-friendly electronic reporting tool that electronically validates and verifies the inclusion of all required data elements as results are submitted. These electronic spreadsheets are then transmitted to TX CLPPP via secure file transfer protocol for processing into a database shared with the state. TX CLPPP not only developed a more efficient system for data reporting sharing, it also identified organizations not yet filing results electronically and engaged them to adopt this process.

TX CLPPP received more than 92% of records electronically for the 9/30/2017 to 3/31/2018 reporting period, surpassing its 90% goal. TX CLPPP has since broadened its initiative to engage other organizations in electronic reporting and plans to update reporting rules to support this vital functionality.