The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have recently released updated guidance for reporting results of SARS-CoV-2 test results.
- The Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) is making changes to required reporting based on this guidance.
- All polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test results should continue to be reported to Pennsylvania’s National Electronic Disease Surveillance System (PA-NEDSS).
- For antigen tests and tests performed at point-of-care (POC), only POSITIVE test results should be reported.
- Do not report any COVID-19 antibody test results, whether positive, negative, or inconclusive.
- These changes should help reduce the reporting burden on providers and laboratories.
- These changes should be instituted as soon after 4/4/2022 as possible.
- If you have any questions, please call DOH at 1-877-PA-HEALTH (1-877-724-3258) or your local health department.
DOH is making changes to the reporting requirements for COVID-19 test results to PA-NEDSS. This information updates HAN 534. Required reporting of results depends on the type of test being performed, please refer to the table below. These changes are based upon updated guidance recently released by HHS and CDC, COVID-19 Pandemic Response, Laboratory Data Reporting: CARES Act Section 18115 (cdc.gov), effective April 4.
New Reporting Requirements for SARS-CoV-2 Test Results:
Antibody (e.g., AB, IgM, IgG, IgA): Do not report any results.
Antigen Tests (e.g., rapid test, lateral flow test, etc.)
-or-
Any point-of-care test, i.e., any COVID-19 diagnostic test performed on-site at a CLIA-waived facility, such as a nursing home: Report only positive results.
Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAAT) test (e.g., RT-PCR, TMA, etc.): Report all results.
In addition, please note –
- There is NO CHANGE for reporting PCR results. All COVID-19 PCR results must continue to be reported to PA-NEDSS. This will allow percent positivity and other PCR-based testing metrics to continue to be produced.
- These new requirements apply to both Electronic Laboratory Reporting (ELR) and online key entry into PA-NEDSS.
- Long-term care facilities (LTCFs) who must report aggregate positive and negative antigen/point-of-care test results to the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) should continue to do so. However, LTCFs who are also reporting individual test result data to NHSN should follow the chart above and stop reporting individual negative results from antigen or other point-of-care tests.
- If a facility is mandated to report individual negative antigen results (such as reporting school testing results through the STRAC app, or complying with requirements from other agencies), the facility must continue to report them. DOH will contact these reporters directly.
- As before, reportable test results should be submitted to PA-NEDSS within 24 hours of completion of the test.
- These changes should be instituted as soon after 4/4/2022 as possible.
If you have any questions, please call DOH at 1-877-PA-HEALTH (1-877-724-3258) or your local health department.