TRENTON, N.J. — The New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH), in partnership with the Department of Human Services (NJDHS), New Jersey Innovation Institute (NJII), and RWJBarnabas Health, has launched a pilot program aimed at automating the creation and filing of birth certificates, officials announced this week.
The initiative utilizes the New Jersey Health Information Network (NJHIN) to electronically transmit birth data from hospital Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems directly to the state’s Vital Statistics Birth Registry—reducing administrative burden, improving accuracy, and expediting record processing.
“This enhancement will allow us to better track infant and birth health data, providing reliable and timely statistics to improve maternal and infant health,” said First Lady Tammy Murphy, a longtime advocate for maternal health in the state.
Currently, birth registrars must manually re-enter birth information into the state’s registry, duplicating data already stored in hospital EHRs. The new system streamlines the process by transmitting the information automatically and securely, allowing hospital staff to focus on care rather than paperwork.
Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, part of RWJBarnabas Health, served as the pilot site. The hospital successfully transmitted birth record data electronically, allowing the birth registrar to review and finalize the certificate in the state system without duplicative data entry.
“This pilot project revolutionizes birth registration by automating the creation and filing of birth certificates,” said Suzanne Spernal, senior vice president of women’s services at RWJBarnabas Health. “We’ve streamlined the process, improved accuracy, and ensured timely documentation for every newborn.”
The state sees approximately 100,000 births each year, the majority occurring in 46 acute care hospitals. Officials say the program could be expanded statewide following the successful pilot.
“This pilot is a great example of how interagency collaboration and innovation can result in better, faster service for families,” said Human Services Commissioner Sarah Adelman. “We’re supporting both hospital staff and new parents at a critical moment in their lives.”
Acting Health Commissioner Jeff Brown emphasized that the effort reflects a broader commitment to modernize government services through smart, collaborative innovation.
More information about the NJHIN is available at nj.gov/health/njhin.
