PATIENT INFORMATION
SHEET
Reportable Diseases and
Surveillance
Download a pdf of the Patient Information
Sheet (.pdf, 28k)
WHY ARE CERTAIN DISEASES
REPORTABLE? If a disease is "reportable," it means that
if you are infected, the health professionals who treat you are
obligated to share that information with certain public health agencies.
Certain diseases are reportable because they are contagious (meaning
they can spread from person to person), which threatens public health
and safety. Other diseases are reportable because they can cause serious
illness or death, and treatment or prevention — such as
vaccination — is essential. Some diseases are tracked through
reporting to watch for any disturbing or unusual trends. Examples of
these diseases are West Nile virus, chickenpox, and whooping cough.
WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR
REPORTING COMMUNICABLE (CONTAGIOUS) DISEASES? Doctors,
nurses, laboratories, health care facilities, and food establishment
operators must report certain diseases to official public health
agencies. Parents who think their child may have a communicable disease
or may have been exposed to one should contact their doctor to ensure
proper care and help control the spread of disease.
WHAT IS MY
RESPONSIBILITY? If you are ill or have an infectious
disease, you should see your health care provider and answer any
questions your doctor or nurse may have. They will collect any
information public health officials need to protect you, your family,
and the community. Your responsibility is to cooperate with the public
health workers assisting you.
WHERE DOES REPORTABLE
DISEASE INFORMATION GO? All states have a "reportable diseases"
list. Some diseases are also reportable to the federal government
Centers for Disease Control. The Massachusetts Department of Public
Health works with local boards of health to investigate communicable
disease cases and carry out appropriate control and prevention measures.
Most infectious diseases are reported directly to the city or town in
which the diagnosis is made. The only exceptions to this are sexually
transmitted diseases, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS, which are reported
directly to the Department of Public Health.
WHAT IS THIS INFORMATION
USED FOR? Reporting allows public health officials to track
disease patterns so they are aware of any outbreaks (the speading of
disease). It also allows for early treatment to prevent further illness
in the patient and in those exposed to the illness. The collection of
health and disease information is called surveillance. Surveillance
helps control the spread of disease and prevents outbreaks.
WHAT ABOUT
CONFIDENTIALITY? Maintaining confidentiality of health
information is a legal requirement. This means that it is against the
law for your health information to be shared with anyone unnecessarily.
The information that public health officials collect is often of a
personal nature. The law allows public health officials to collect
personal information for disease control purposes, but holds these
officials responsible for the use of this information. Protecting an
individual’s privacy is critical to success and cooperation in
disease investigation. All staff who have access to or who come in
contact with patient information (as part of their job) are trained in
and must be mindful of protecting confidentiality at all times.
WHAT ABOUT HIPAA?
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) privacy
rule is designed to enhance the privacy and security of protected health
information. HIPAA specifically allows health information to be shared
for public health purposes.
WHERE CAN I GET MORE
INFORMATION?
The MDPH Division of Epidemiology
and Immunization has an epidemiologist on call during normal business
hours at (617) 983-6800 or (888) 658-2850 to answer questions about
investigation and control measures.
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