APHL 2020 POSTER ABSTRACTS
Communication : A Cornerstone for the Laboratory Response Network
J . Diethelm , Association of Public Health Laboratories , Silver Spring , MD
A robust laboratory network is critical to effectively respond to known and emerging public health threats . To address this need within the United States , the Laboratory Response Network ( LRN ) was founded in 1999 through a collaboration between the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ), the Federal Bureau of Investigation ( FBI ) and the Association of Public Health Laboratories ( APHL ). At its inception the primary objective was to create a system for responding to biological threats . Today the LRN has expanded to form a network of state and local public health , federal , military , and international laboratories capable of responding to biological , chemical , radiological and other public health threats , such as emerging infectious diseases .
The LRN supports its members through the following core functions : ensuring rapid deployment of resources , strengthening partnerships , developing and improving diagnostics , and continuous training . Using these tools and systems the LRN enables frontline sentinel clinical laboratories to reliably rule-out and / or refer potential threats to LRN Reference Laboratories that are capable of providing specialized testing for unknown agents in high containment facilities .
Over the past two decades the LRN has focused on building its capacity for preparedness and response within laboratories across the United States . However , as the world becomes more interconnected , programs like the LRN may soon become an international need . Despite the advances of international public health systems , the ability to communicate efficiently amongst public health laboratories and larger agencies continues to challenge many . This poster highlights the communication capabilities of the LRN , which should be leveraged by countries needing improved systems as it is a program founded on collaboration and continuously balances connections between local , state , federal and private stakeholders .
Presenter : Jennifer Diethelm , Association of Public Health Laboratories , Silver Spring , MD , jennifer . diethelm @ aphl . org
Rebuilding Response Capacity to Natural Disasters in Puerto Rico , US Virgin Islands and Houston
J . Sutton , Association of Public Health Laboratories , Silver Spring , MD
In recent years , natural disasters have intensified and become increasingly more frequent , placing a tremendous amount of pressure on the public health systems that respond . The Association of Public Health Laboratories ’ Public Health Preparedness and Response ( PHPR ) program works collaboratively across the association , with CDC and other external partners to improve the effectiveness and capabilities of public health systems to prepare for , respond to , and recover from public health crises , such as hurricanes . Following the 2017 hurricanes , APHL was awarded a $ 15.1 million , two-year cooperative agreement by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) Center for State , Tribal , Local and Territorial Support ( CSTLTS ) to help strengthen the public health system ’ s response and recovery in three jurisdictions - Houston , Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands .
To support the response and recovery from Hurricanes Harvey , Irma and Maria , APHL ’ s PHPR program coordinates with health departments and CDC to increase their staffing capacity , provide technical training and support , and rapidly procure the supplies , equipment and services needed to restore and maintain essential public health activities . This poster will highlight ongoing recovery efforts , lessons learned and considerations for preparing and responding to future threat events .
Presenter : Jill Sutton , Association of Public Health Laboratories , Silver Spring , MD , jill . sutton @ aphl . org
Updated : Laboratory Response Network — Chemical ( LRN – C ) Level 3 Resource Handbook
R . Nickla 1 , K . Stiles 2 , S . Runcorn 3 , T . Miller 4 ; 1 Oregon State Public Health Laboratory , Hillsboro , OR , 2 Nebraska Public Health Laboratory , Omaha , NE , 3 Arizona Department of Health Services , Phoenix , AZ , 4 Michigan Bureau of Laboratories , Lansing , MI
The APHL Chemical Threat Collaborative Workgroup ( CT-CWG ) developed the Laboratory Response Network-Chemical ( LRN-C ) Level 3 Resource Handbook as a guidance document for LRN-C partner members and coordinators who provide Level 3 outreach to healthcare facilities , first responders , and any other agency expected to respond to a chemical release resulting in human exposure . As defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) Level 3 responsibilities contain specific funded benchmark Level 3 capabilities . APHLs Environmental Health Committee ( EHC ) and the CT-CWG provided subject matter expertise for development and maintenance of a universal guidance document designed to provide practical information to be used as recognized methods to meet these benchmarks , for development of robust Level 3 outreach and training programs , and to help identify and close any gaps in their current jurisdictional programs .
Since the first version release in November 2014 , updates and improvements were made in 2015 and 2016 . The EHC proposed a handbook refresh in late 2016 with suggestions for short- and longterm goals that would enhance and update this resource for Level 3 outreach programs . The short-term revisions were completed in 2017 and the long-term enhancements were completed and approved in November 2019 .
Production and enhancements to the Level 3 Resource Handbook were organized by volunteer efforts of the CT-CWG members , by meetings hosted through an APHL SharePoint site , and represents a collective compilation of experience-based recommendations from the APHL EHC and CT-CWG .
This poster presents the culmination of these efforts and portrays the transformation of this working document ; the most recent version of the Laboratory Response Network-Chemical ( LRN-C ) Level 3 Resource Handbook .
Presenter : Teresa Miller , Michigan Bureau of Laboratories , Lansing , MI , millert28 @ michigan . gov
Preparedness and Response