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Infectious Diseases: Hepatitis C: Reporting Guidelines

Mary Miller, RN, PHN, is the Communicable Disease Nursing Specialist for Public Health. Mary has provided the following guidelines about optimal CMR (Confidential Morbidity Reporting) for Hepatitis C (HCV).

What is the difference between reporting from the physician's office and from the laboratories?

Provider reporting is mandated within seven (7) days of diagnosis by telephone, fax, or in writing. Lab reporting of HCV is not mandated. When the laboratory does report, Public Health might have to call the provider for more information.

What are the most commonly missing items on the CMR?

Incomplete demographic information is the worst problem (e.g., no date of birth or a common name like John Smith without a social security number). Race and ethnicity are also often missed.

Who must complete the CMR?

Any designated person in the office may complete the form.

Must the provider sign the form?

No provider signature is required. There is a space for the name of the person who has filled out the form; this is very helpful if we need to call and ask questions.

Do you contact the patient if the provider reports HCV to Public Health?

For chronic HCV, the patient is never called. For acute HVC, the Communicable Disease Nurse first calls the provider to make sure appropriate patient education was given about transmission risks. Public Health can provide such information, in English or Spanish, to the patient if the provider thinks it would be helpful.

When was the last time the CMR form was updated?

There were changes made to the back of the form regarding HCV in October 2002. No changes were made to the front reporting data section. The date October 2002 is on the bottom of the newest form.

What if I don't have a copy of the CMR to complete?

You can download the CMR form from the Disease Control website, or:

• Call 565-4567 for a copy of the CMR to be faxed.



• Send a secure fax to 565-4565 with a cover sheet indicating "HCV Report." Include a copy of the patient's front sheet (for demographics), and a lab report indicating positive antibody and/or HCV RNA. If only an antibody test is sent, Public Health will call back to request that you order a confirmatory HCV RNA.



• Leave a secure voice mail with the above information at 565-4567.

What if I am not sure a CMR has already been sent?

The only way you can be sure that your office has sent a CMR is to find a copy in your patient's chart or a chart note indicating reporting has been done. If you do double report, Public Health and/or the State will recognize the duplicate and adjust the database accordingly. You can always send a CMR even if you are not sure.