Rapid Health Information Network (RHINO) Data Reporting
On March 17, 2026, the Department of Health filed a Proposed Rue to create a new rule to implement RCW 43.70.057 Hospital emergency room patient care information - Data collection, maintenance, analysis, and dissemination by establishing reporting and data release requirements for emergency department data collection.
The proposed draft rule formalizes:
- Requirements for data elements in syndromic surveillance messages.
- Data validation and onboarding processes for data providers.
- Syndromic surveillance message timeliness and formatting standards.
- Requirements for data access and usage.
RCW 43.70.057 requires the department to establish a fee for research or private use requests for data. The proposed fee language exempts tribal and public health authorities from fees, as well as facilities accessing their own data.
Public Hearing on April 21, 2026
In response to the CR-102 (PDF) filing, the department has scheduled a public hearing and invites hospitals, urgent care centers, researchers, and members of the public to attend.
Join us April 21, 2026, from 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. on Zoom for the public hearing.
Register for April 21 Zoom Hearing
Rule Making Documents
CR-102 WSR 26-07-069 and Proposed Rule Language (PDF)
Economic Significant Analysis (PDF)
Public Comment
Comments can be made during the public hearing or before the hearing at Rules Comment.
If you choose, please submit any comment(s) prior to the scheduled meeting if you are unable to attend a meeting but have a concern that you would like to be discussed in the meeting by emailing samantha.zee@doh.wa.gov.
Your cooperation will help ensure that all comments are taken into consideration when final draft rules are adopted.
Contacts
For more information about our rule-making activities contact samantha.zee@doh.wa.gov.
For questions about the RHINO program contact RHINO@doh.wa.gov.