CDC updates guidance on COVID-19 laboratory data reporting

When ordering COVID-19 laboratory tests or collecting specimens, health care providers should collect certain patient demographic information and responses to certain questions needed for COVID-19 data reporting, according to updated guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“These data elements are critical for the COVID-19 public health response, and including them with test orders enable the laboratories that perform the test to report the information to state and jurisdictional health departments, as required,” the guidance states.

For more information, see the Department of Health and Human Services recent guidance and FAQs on hospital data reporting.