Notifiable Conditions
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Notifiable Conditions
Notifiable Condition
(Table) Notifiable Conditions are those conditions that are reportable to
the local and state health departments by law. This is for the
public's protection and helps the local health
department track, detect and respond to diseases and disease
outbreaks.
Several Texas laws (Health & Safety
Code, Chapters 81, 84, and 87) require specific information
regarding notifiable conditions be provided to the Texas Department
of State Health Services (DSHS). Health care providers, hospitals,
laboratories, schools, and others are required to report patients
who are suspected of having a notifiable condition (Chapter 97,
Title 25, Texas Administrative Code).
Release of this information is allowable under HIPPA regulations. Section 164.512(b) permits covered entities to release private health information to a public health authority that is authorized by law to collect and receive information for preventing and controlling disease. This information includes reporting of disease, public health investigations, and public health interventions. Under this exception you are authorized to release information to the public health department.
General Instructions
In addition to the notifiable conditions, any outbreaks, exotic
diseases, and unusual group expressions of illness must be
reported, regardless of source. All diseases shall be reported at
minimum by name, age, sex, race/ethnicity, DOB, address, telephone
number(s), disease, date of onset, method of diagnosis, and name,
address, and telephone number of physician.
Cases or suspected cases of illness considered to be possible public health emergencies, outbreaks, exotic diseases, and unusual group expressions of illness must be reported to the local health department immediately. Other disease for which there must be a quick public health response must be reported within one working day of suspicion. All other conditions must be reported within one week.
Reporting
Please report to: Jessica Gullion, PhD,
Chief Epidemiologist, (940) 349-2916, or Dana
O'Brien, MS, Epidemiology Investigator,
(940) 349-2919, (940) 349-5078 confidential fax
