Lab Matters Fall 2017 | Page 39

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New APHL Guidance : TB Cooperative Agreement Toolkit The TB Cooperative Agreement Toolkit has been updated for the new Tuberculosis Elimination and Laboratory Cooperative Agreement , which was released on July 17 . It contains upgraded performance indicators , a glossary of defined terms , a turnaround-time calculator and three data templates to aid laboratories in the application process and navigate the coming year .

New APHL Training Tools : Quality Management Training Series The Quality Management Training Series ( QMTS ) is a free comprehensive set of laboratory quality management learning tools , built to provide timely and consistent training for new hires and veteran staff , alike . .

Laboratory Competency Implementation Toolbox APHL members have developed resources , tools and examples to assist laboratories in their efforts to implement behavior-based laboratory competencies , and incorporate them into their workplace processes .

CDC BT Rule Out or Refer : Virtual Knowledge Exercise This virtual exercise provides an opportunity for the microbiologist to participate in a series of three virtual case studies using ASM ’ s sentinel laboratory protocols in a safe environment to detect potential biothreat agents . The three , interactive web-based exercises are designed for all clinical and veterinary diagnostic laboratorians performing microbiology testing .

ATSDR Updates Guidance Documents The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry ( ATSDR ) has updated their Substance Priority List ( SPL ) and Completed Exposure Pathway ( CEP ) Site Count Report . ATSDR ’ s Substance Priority List helps determine which substances will have ATSDR Toxicological Profiles and is revised every two years .

TFAH Policy Brief Proposes Improvements to Lead Exposure Testing for Children Trust for America ’ s Health ( TFAH ) has released a policy brief , “ Recommendations to Prevent and Mitigate the Effects of Lead Poisoning .” Recommendation seven proposes ways to improve blood lead testing among children at high-risk of exposure and find and remediate the sources of their exposure .

APHL LAB MATTERS STAFF Gynene Sullivan , Editor Karen Klinedinst , Art Director Jody DeVoll , Advisor

APHL has upgraded APHL listservs to online communities ! The communities provide more functionality , such as the ability to attach documents to posts , and create a single home for all your discussion threads and resources . If you are currently an APHL listserv member , please log on to My APHL to create an aphl . org account or , if you already have one , to ensure your information is up-to-date . Each new “ community ” has an APHL staff manager who can walk you through the transition . Please contact membership @ aphl . org if you have any questions . Enjoy exploring your new communities !

Episode 6 : What is the Biosafety Peer Network ? The Biosafety Peer Network is intended to foster a collaborative community , advance biosafety and biosecurity in laboratories , and ultimately improve public health laboratory biosafety and biosecurity across the US . Rebecca Sciulli ( Hawaii ), Paul Fox ( Hawaii ) and Anne Marie Santos ( Guam ) sat down for a conversation about their work .

APHL BOARD OF DIRECTORS Ewa King , PhD , president Joanne Bartkus , PhD , D ( ABMM ), president-elect Bill Whitmar , MS , secretary-treasurer Grace E . Kubin , PhD , member-at-large Denise Marie Toney , PhD , HCLD ( ABB ), member-at-large

Scott J . Zimmerman , DrPH , MPH , HCLD ( ABB ), member-at-large

Maria Lucia Ishida , PhD , public health associate institutional member representative

Tamara Theisen , MT ( ASCP ), local institutional member representative

Mark Wade , local institutional member representative

A . Christian Whelen , PhD , D ( ABMM ), past president Scott J . Becker , MS , ex officio , executive director , APHL

The Association of Public Health Laboratories ( APHL ) works to strengthen laboratory systems serving the public ’ s health in the US and globally . APHL ’ s member laboratories protect the public ’ s health by monitoring and detectinginfectious and foodborne diseases , environmental contaminants , terrorist agents , genetic disorders in newborns and other diverse health threats .