THE IMPORTANCE OF DISEASE REPORTING – PART 1

Physicians and other healthcare providers play an essential role in recognition and identification of communicable disease, outbreaks, and unknown emerging infectious diseases.  Complete and timely reporting of cases of reportable diseases and outbreaks are essential to implementing prevention and control measures to reduce further morbidity and mortality. Notification (reporting) to public health practitioners allows for enhanced surveillance efforts, investigation, and initiation of prevention and control measures to interrupt disease transmission and ensure the health of the public. 

Strengthening the relationship between clinical practice and public health provides the opportunity to identify healthcare issues affecting counties and determining a means of collaboratively addressing the burden of disease. Regular interaction lays the groundwork for planning for and operations during public health emergencies (for example, a measles outbreak or a food handler with hepatitis A).

As we have witnessed in Iowa and Polk County over the past decade, the idea that “it wouldn’t happen in Iowa” doesn’t hold true anymore. The ease with which a person can board a plane and be nearly anywhere in the world in a matter of  hours highlights the lack of one’s ability to guess where a disease may be identified. SARS, monkeypox, and the measles outbreak within the last 2 years prove to be glaring examples of this shift.

DISEASE SURVEILLANCE AND REPORTING FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What laws govern reporting of diseases in Iowa?

Iowa Code: Chapter 139A Communicable and Infectious Diseases and Poisonings AND

Iowa Administrative Code [641] Chapter 1 Public Health Department

What diseases are reportable?

The diseases reportable will be covered in the next issue of the Bulletin. They can also be found on the following posters from the State of Iowa: Diseases Reportable to the Iowa Department of Public Health .  http://idph.state.ia.us/adper/cade_content/epi_manual/4_disease_poster.pdf

Environmental and Occupational Diseases Reportable to the Iowa Department of Public Health

http://idph.state.ia.us/adper/cade_content/epi_manual/4_environmental_disease_poster.pdf

Who is required to report?   Where are reports to be made?

Healthcare providers and public, private and hospital clinical laboratories are to report to the

Local Health Departments and/or State Health Department. If a report is made to the Polk County Health Department, they are responsible for getting that information to the state.

What information is required when making a report?

Iowa Code 139 A.3 (1.a.-k.) describes these requirements:

·         Patient Name
·         Patient Address
·         Patient DOB
·         Sex
·         Race & Ethnicity
·         Marital Status
·         Phone Number
·         Lab Name
·         Lab Address
·         Date Test Positive
·         Collection Date
·         Healthcare Provider
·         Pregnancy Status (if Female)