Lead Registry

The DC Lead Registry helps healthcare organizations identify, monitor, and manage patients with elevated blood lead levels by integrating data from DC Health, laboratory results, and Medicaid claims. Through CRISP DC’s Clinical Information and Population Health Analytics tools, providers can access timely lead screening data to support care coordination, early intervention, and improved health outcomes.

What is Lead Registry?

CRISP DC, in collaboration with DC Health, is leveraging District Lead Registry data to support better care coordination and improved outcomes for patients. Participating organizations can access lead data in two ways: (1) through the Clinical Information tile in the CRISP portal, which displays lead test results for patients on the organization’s attributed patient panel, and (2) through DC Health data shared via Lead Registry Reports in Population Health Analytics. Lead Registry Reports allow participating organizations to view lead test results for patients with an established care relationship.

Why testing is so important

Lead is a highly toxic substance, and its most vulnerable victims are the youngest of our children. That is because lead attacks the brain and central nervous system, both of which are still under development while children are age from infancy to preschool years. By attacking these vital organs at such an early time in a child’s life, lead can cause serious and even permanent harm.

District Law: Twice by Two

DC District Law requires lead testing of all young children at least twice – children are to be tested by age 6–14 months, and again at age 22–26 months.

An easy way to remember: Test every child, twice by two.

The amount of lead in blood is referred to as the blood lead level, which is measured in micrograms of lead per deciliter of blood (μg/dL). CDC currently uses a blood lead reference value (BLRV) of = or greater than 3.5 micrograms per deciliter to identify children with blood lead levels that are higher than most children’s levels. *

*https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/prevention/blood-lead-levels.htm

How to Access Lead Registry

Lead-related information can be accessed through two pathways within CRISP DC. The first pathway is through Clinical Information, where users can view patient-level laboratory results and identify individuals with elevated blood lead levels through lead-related flags and indicators. The second pathway is through the Lead Registry report within the Population Health Analytics Reporting Suite, which provides a more comprehensive view of lead data, enabling users to analyze trends, monitor populations, and conduct in-depth reporting.

For new users seeking access to available analytics reports for patient care improvement, please reach out to Christal Forte, CRISP DC Project Manager, via email at Christal.Forte@crispdc.org. Alternatively, you can contact the DC Outreach team at dcoutreach@crisphealth.org for assistance with credentialing or inquiries about access.

Request Assistance

To receive additional support and training, please contact the DC Outreach team by emailing dcoutreach@crisphealth.org or Christal.Forte@crispdc.org.

Lead Registry Resources

Coming soon!

Frequently Asked Questions

The Lead Registry is a resource that helps healthcare providers identify and track patients’ blood lead levels by integrating data from DC Health, real-time laboratory results, and Medicaid claims to populate the Population Health Reports. It supports the management of patients who meet the CDC threshold for elevated lead levels (≥ 3.5 micrograms per deciliter) by centralizing and highlighting relevant clinical information.

The Lead Registry helps healthcare providers quickly identify and manage patients with elevated lead levels using tools like CARE Alerts and Population Health Reports. It supports early intervention, ongoing monitoring, and improved population health management by highlighting patients who meet the CDC threshold for elevated lead levels (≥ 3.5 micrograms per deciliter).

The lead registry data is updated weekly.

The Lead Registry is populated based on DC Health lead registry data, real time laboratory data, and Medicaid claims data.

The CDC currently defines a blood lead reference value (BLRV) of 3.5 micrograms per deciliter or higher as indicative of elevated blood lead levels.

To determine whether a patient has elevated lead levels, users can review CARE Alerts in the Clinical Information tile or examine beneficiary details within the Population Health Reports. Any patient with a Blood Lead Reference Value (BLRV) equal to or greater than 3.5 micrograms per deciliter is considered to have elevated lead levels.

Get started with CRISP DC

Partner with the HIE