2nd Generation ELR Systems for Enterprise Services

BACKGROUND:  As one of the earliest NEDSS systems to be established, Pennsylvania developed an ELR system to support the electronic transmission of disease reports.  The system evolved from basic CSV and HL7 2.3.1 to a robust system implementing Orion's Rhapsody as a core component.  In planning since 2008, the 2nd Generation ELR has been an on-going project to establish an enterprise wide service oriented architecture that is wholly independent of the PA-NEDSS application providing a wide range of services and capabilities to business partners invested in public health.

METHODS:  Implementation of new technology and streamlining existing architecture to enhance system capabilities reducing costs and providing flexibility and dynamic content to business partners.

RESULTS:  An enterprise level service oriented architecture (SOA) that is capable of serving multiple client applications via a robust WCF-based web service and robust integration, translation, and routing engine to receive, filter, and deliver electronic messages for the Department of Health and its business partners with a seamless integration point to the state-wide HIE.

CONCLUSIONS:  The planning, development, testing and deployment of a complex system that took a narrowly focused ELR web service and workflow was converted it into an enterprise level application which is capable of providing service to multiple business partners.  The development and use of the PA-ELR first generation system was solely focused on providing an electronic data transmission method for the PA-NEDSS application.  By separating the two applications, architecting new infrastructure for the enterprise ELR service, and leveraging the implementation of Rhapsody, PA-DOH was able to construct a reliable, dynamic, and extensible service which provides a single point of contact for the intake of electronic health data to support Pennsylvania's Public Health initiatives.  The enterprise service allows for the retirement of legacy applications/services and the redirection of the costs of support to other critical health activities.  The system also allows for a uniform connection to the state-wide HIE and employs state of the art technologies to improve the ability of health care professionals in public and private practice to seamlessly exchange public health data.