Lead-Safe Wisconsin: Support for HHLPSS (Healthy Homes and Lead Poisoning Surveillance System)
The Healthy Homes and Lead Poisoning Surveillance System (HHLPSS) is a web-based, case management and surveillance application developed by the CDC for state and local childhood lead poisoning prevention programs. HHLPSS is used to track:
- Blood lead test results.
- Property addresses associated with blood lead test results.
- Case management activities.
- Lead hazard investigations.
- Lead hazard remediation.
For more case management resources for local public health department staff, visit:
- Getting Started: Public Health Nurses New to Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention.
- Resources for Lead Investigators
Getting started with HHLPSS
Before managing your first case, you will need to request access to HHLPSS by emailing the CLPPP team at DHSLeadPoisoningPrevention@dhs.wisconsin.gov. When you email CLPPP to request access, please include your:
- First and last name.
- MyWisconsin ID.
- Phone number.
- Email address.
- Security question and answer.
In addition, the HHLPSS coordinator will need to know if:
- You need access to the patient module, environmental module, or both.
- You'd like email alerts for new clinical cases in your jurisdiction.
- You'd like email alerts for new environmental investigations in your jurisdiction.
If you're unsure how to answer any of these questions, contact your supervisor.
Understand the terms you'll find throughout HHLPSS.
- Jurisdiction: A jurisdiction aligns with local public health department jurisdictions. HHLPSS assigns a child/property and their case/investigation to a jurisdiction based on their address at the time of their blood lead test. This determines who gets alerts and access to records.
- Primary case manager: Primary case managers are assigned by default to a new case when one is created. They receive system and email alerts for the case and any new tests on it.
- Primary investigator: Primary investigators are assigned by default to a new investigation when one opens. They receive system and email alerts for the investigation.
- Case events: Case events are used to document developmental screenings, noted developmental delays, referrals, services the child is already receiving, and home visits.
- Case events can show the date of the service or referral, the due date of the referral, and the date the referral was completed. They may be edited after saving.
- CLPPP staff may pull data from case events for tracking or program evaluation purposes.
- For more information, see: Job Aid 3.6: Case Details: Initiation and Information, P-02299-3.6 (PDF)
- Case notes: Case notes are used to document letters sent to families or other contact attempts.
- Case notes show the date they were made and include a subject and body text. Once saved, a case note cannot be edited.
- CLPPP cannot pull data from case notes.
- For more information, see: Job Aid 3.13: Patient Notes, P-02299-3.13 (PDF)
If you're new to childhood lead poisoning prevention, check out the following resources to understand the basics:
The state also has job-specific resources located on these pages:
- Getting Started: Public Health Nurses New to Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention
- Resources for Lead Investigators
Finally, get signed up for CLPPP's monthly webinars, where you can go to ask questions and get updates on all things lead:
- Add the webinar series to your calendar.
- Note: Clicking the calendar invite will download a file to your computer. Open the file to view the meeting details and add the series to your calendar.
- View recordings of previous webinars.
How to, at a glance
Looking for a quick walkthrough of common activities? See below to learn how to:
- Open the child's record and select Case Details, then Case Information from the left-hand menu, The case manager and case status appear at the top of the page.
- Select Edit Case Manager Assignment.
- Select the appropriate manager from the dropdown menu.
- After making your selection, the link below the dropdown menu will change. Select Assign Case Manager to complete the reassignment.
If a child is moving or has moved out of your jurisdiction:
- Complete any charting for the child. (You'll lose access to the record once the jurisdiction is updated.)
- Document the child's new address in a case event or case note.
- See below for more information about Case Events vs. Case Notes.
- Email the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program at DHSLeadPoisoningPrevention@dhs.wisconsin.gov with the child's HHLPSS ID number and where you documented their new address.
Keep the case open when transferring it to a new local health department within Wisconsin, so it remains open to the new jurisdiction.
- Start to add the address as you typically would.
- When you would select 'Primary Home' from the Address Type dropdown menu, select 'Supplementary' instead.
See Job Aid 4.4: Adding a Supplemental Address, P-02299-4.4 (PDF) for more information.
- Go to the Environmental tab.
- Select your jurisdiction, and set the investigation status to Open.
- Select Search.
You'll see a list of all properties in your jurisdiction with an open investigation.
For more information, check out this recording of a past CLPPP webinar: Reviewing open cases and investigations in HHLPSS.
Use the Other Blood Tests page in a patient's record to view and enter test result history for non-lead tests, such as zinc protoporphyrin, hemoglobin, or ferritin.
See Job Aid 3.10: Other Blood Tests, P-02299-3.10 (PDF) for more information.
Users cannot delete attachments themselves. Email DHSLeadPoisoningPrevention@dhs.wisconsin.gov with the HHLPSS ID or property ID and the name of the file to be deleted. CLPPP will remove the file for you.
Actions and alerts
HHLPSS actions and alerts by blood lead level
| Child blood lead level | HHLPSS action(s) |
|---|---|
| 0 - 3.4 µg/dL |
|
| ≥ 3.5 µg/dL |
|
About HHLPSS alerts
HHLPSS alerts are displayed on the homepage and sent via email to the primary case manager and/or the primary investigator. Other staff can opt in to receive alerts without being listed a primary contact. If you would like to start receiving case alerts from HHLPSS, email DHSLeadPoisoningPrevetion@dhs.wisconsin.gov.
Job aids
The job aids below contain screenshots and step-by-step instructions that will help you navigate HHLPSS.
- HHLPSS Job Aid 3.1: Find a Patient and Patient Information, P-02299-3.1 (PDF)
- HHLPSS Job Aid 3.2: Clinical Letters, P-02299-3.2 (PDF)
- HHLPSS Job Aid 3.3: Adding Family Members and Guardian, P-02299-3.3 (PDF)
- HHLPSS Job Aid 3.4: Patient Address, P-02299-3.4 (PDF)
- HHLPSS Job Aid 3.5: Viewing Blood Lead Tests, P-02299-3.5 (PDF)
- HHLPSS Job Aid 3.6: Case Details: Initiation and Information, P-02299-3.6 (PDF)
- HHLPSS Job Aid 3.7: Case Closure, P-02299-3.7 (PDF)
- HHLPSS Job Aid 3.8: Case Exposure Sources, P-02299-3.8 (PDF)
- HHLPSS Job Aid 3.9: Associated Persons and Household Members, P-02299-3.9 (PDF)
- HHLPSS Job Aid 3.10: Other Blood Tests, P-02299-3.10 (PDF)
- HHLPSS Job Aid 3.11: Other Medical Information, P-02299-3.11 (PDF)
- HHLPSS Job Aid 3.12: Chelation, P-02299-3.12 (PDF)
- HHLPSS Job Aid 3.13: Patient Notes, P-02299-3.13 (PDF)
- HHLPSS Job Aid 3.14: Patient Attachments, P-02299-3.14 (PDF)
Technical support
If you something weird or are struggling with access to HHLPSS, reach out to the HHLPSS coordinator via email at DHSLeadPoisoningPrevention@dhs.wisconsin.gov or call 608-266-5817. Common fixes include:
- Moving a child to a new jurisdiction after they were incorrectly assigned to you.
- Hunting down missing or delayed blood lead testing results.
- Renewing HHLPSS access after email domain changes.
HHLPSS webinars
The Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program hosts monthly webinars about all things lead. Check out some past sessions about HHLPSS: