Implementation of a new electronic death reporting system has been canceled, the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) announced July 3. ISDH said it will continue to use the current vital records reporting system, Genesis, with no interruption.

Death reporting was to be the first module of an a new, streamlined electronic vital records system called EVERS. After originally being scheduled for May, the death reporting module was set to go live in September, followed by the birth reporting module. ISDH had said all users of the new death reporting module, including funeral directors, medical certifiers, coroners and local health department personnel, would have to attend training in person or online before the launch date.

ISDH announced the cancellation on its website and in an email to stakeholders, saying it had ended its contract with the vendor for EVERS, Netsmart Technologies.

“After serious efforts and consideration, we have determined it is in the best interests of the state to terminate our agreement with the selected vendor and partner with a new vendor to implement a system that meets the needs of our stakeholders,” said Hilari Sautbine, Indiana state registrar and director of ISDH’s Division of Vital Records. “This decision has not been made lightly, but ISDH believes it is necessary to ensure that the new birth and death registration system will best serve you – our stakeholders – and the other citizens of Indiana who rely on us to provide a reliable, secure registration system for their vital events.”

ISDH’s full statement about the EVERS cancellation is online at www.in.gov/isdh/28076.htm, where any additional updates will be posted. ISMA will continue to keep members informed of any new developments.