Certain contagious diseases must be reported to local and state public health officials and, ultimately, to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (See Reportable diseases checklist.) Typically, these diseases fit one of two categories:

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those reported individually based on a definitive or suspected diagnosis and those reported by the number of cases per week. The most commonly reported diseases include hepatitis, measles, salmonellosis, shigellosis, syphilis, and gonorrhea.
  • NURSING ALERT Although smallpox isn't listed on the CDC reportable diseases checklist, it's reportable. Selected microorganisms are suspected as potential agents of biological warfare and are reportable immediately to the local or state health department. These agents include anthrax, botulinum toxin, plague, smallpox, and tularemia.
In most states, the patient's physician must report communicable diseases to health officials. In hospitals, the infection control practitioner or epidemiologist reports them. The laboratory must also report organisms associated with reportable diseases. However, you should know the reporting requirements and procedures. Fast, accurate reporting helps identify and control infection sources, prevent epidemics, and guide public health planning and policy.
Equipment
Nursing procedure or infection control manual รข€¢ disease-reporting form, if available.
Implementation
  • Make sure reportable diseases are listed and that the list is available to all shifts.
  • Know your facility's protocol for reporting diseases. Typically, you'll contact the infection control practitioner or epidemiologist. If this person isn't available, contact your supervisor or the infectious disease physician on call.
Documentation
Document any diseases reported to the infection control practitioner, the practitioner's name, and the date and time of the report.