This guide outlines key questions and considerations for jurisdictions as they navigate the structured process of readiness assessment, piloting, and production deployment for electronic case reporting (eCR) in birth defects surveillance (BDS). Users of this guide, including BDS program managers, can decide if eCR is right for the birth defects program based on available resources, partner engagement, and specific data needs. The guide is divided into three sections: assessing readiness, piloting, and implementation.

Download a guide to electronic case reporting (eCR) for birth defects surveillance (BDS)

In addition to this guide, PHII has also developed related BDS resources available at https://phii.org/birth-defects-surveillance/.

PHII (March 15, 2026) A guide to electronic case reporting (eCR) for birth defects surveillance (BDS). Retrieved from https://phii.org/resources/a-guide-to-ecr-for-bds/.
"A guide to electronic case reporting (eCR) for birth defects surveillance (BDS)." PHII - March 15, 2026, https://phii.org/resources/a-guide-to-ecr-for-bds/
PHII July 24, 2025 A guide to electronic case reporting (eCR) for birth defects surveillance (BDS)., viewed March 15, 2026,<https://phii.org/resources/a-guide-to-ecr-for-bds/>
PHII - A guide to electronic case reporting (eCR) for birth defects surveillance (BDS). [Internet]. [Accessed March 15, 2026]. Available from: https://phii.org/resources/a-guide-to-ecr-for-bds/
"A guide to electronic case reporting (eCR) for birth defects surveillance (BDS)." PHII - Accessed March 15, 2026. https://phii.org/resources/a-guide-to-ecr-for-bds/
"A guide to electronic case reporting (eCR) for birth defects surveillance (BDS)." PHII [Online]. Available: https://phii.org/resources/a-guide-to-ecr-for-bds/. [Accessed: March 15, 2026]

Resource Files

Related Resources

Data systems to identify deaf or hard of hearing in newborns: a scoping review

Birth Defects Surveillance Requirements Gathering Checklist

Birth Defects Surveillance Planning and Requirements Gathering Toolkit