Lab Matters Fall 2022 | Page 73

APHL 2022 POSTER ABSTRACTS types of organizations as of January 2022 . Point of care instruments for testing were also distributed , among at least 25 locations across the state . Over 375,000 rapid COVID tests have been distributed to support testing of vulnerable populations and to aid in outbreak management .
Conclusions / Future Outlook : Increased use and dissemination of point of care instruments is a powerful strategy for earlier detection / quarantine , mitigation of risk , and management of cases . Furthermore , sufficient supplies at the various facilities and organizations would both encourage and enable significantly more testing throughout the state , but this is again dependent on effective communication , efficient inventory management , and availability of resources . By having a robust system of collaborative operational effort , multiple benefits follow . Initially , by proper dissemination of materials and supplies to as many clients as possible , stronger partnership could be nurtured . In addition , the culture of preparedness would extend to situations beyond this pandemic . Once in place , the organizational system could be applied to supplies and materials for seasonal diseases , such as Influenza , TB , and STDs , but could also serve as a powerful tool for future emergencies .
Presenter : Satyam Patel , New Jersey Public Health and Environmental Laboratories , satyam . patel @ doh . nj . gov
Field Deployable Laboratories for Testing in Vulnerable Populations , during Public Health Emergencies
R Siderits , S Mikorski , T Frez , D Woell , W Underwood , J Ochal , H Hergert , L Kimball , A Oyelade , S Patel , R Finney , M Ellethy , L Yeldell , J Deverell and S Delaney , New Jersey Public Health and Environmental Laboratories
Near the beginning of the Pandemic , there were some misconceptions about the definition of a mobile testing facility , a mobile command center and a field deployable laboratory . Our perspective is that laboratory testing , in any location , must provide an environment for laboratory personnel that is safe and also supports correct , timely and cost managed testing . To provide remote testing during the pandemic , we were able to configure three Field Deployable Laboratories ( two BSL-2 and one BSL-3 ) under ELC enhanced funding . These became operational in late November 2020 . Logistical considerations prior to deployment included : minor workspace revisions , vehicle SOPs , validating molecular platforms , materials management , license plates , insurance , state gas cards , start-up procedures , maintenance , certification , shore power connections , validation of molecular equipment , router selection and installation , LIMS connectivity and systems competency for driving and on-site setup . We developed a cross-operational support model for training that provided adequate staff for various deployment strategies . Deployment strategies during public health emergencies and for routine use were evaluated . These included a broad range of strategies including cultural nexus points , vulnerable populations and distributed ethnic enclaves . In the first seven months of active service the FDL team was deployed 130 times , performing over 2100 tests , including Rapid Response Testing ( RRT ), 60 %, molecular testing 40 % multiplexed testing . Deployments included back to school events , family services , vaccination events , shelters , safe houses , outbreaks hotspots and psychiatric support centers . All testing was performed under CLIA certification ( documents maintained in each FDL ). The ongoing strategic plan will include utilization in TB surveillance , STD testing , education and possibly biothreat response . The platforms are integrated with the LIMS , can support advanced molecular testing and secure sample transport . The FDLs will be incorporated into the Distributed Public Health Laboratory Infrastructure ( DPHLI ). This will facilitate near real time Geo-Temporal surveillance efforts ; “ incursion ” detection ; predictive contact tracing ; input for data rendering ; inform public policy and enable mitigation strategies by providing targeted surveillance with rapid response testing , in collaboration with Communicable Disease Services and the Vulnerable Populations taskforce .
Presenter : William Underwood , New Jersey Public Health and Environmental Laboratories , Email : william . underwood @ doh . nj . gov
Clinical Laboratory Network Supports Pandemic Response
A Sterkel , E Bowles , J Keuler and A Bateman , Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene
Successful response to a pandemic requires strong communication amongst all partners . The Wisconsin Clinical Laboratory Network ( WCLN ) was crucial for rapid dissemination of information , building testing capacity , and supporting testing during worldwide shortages . The established network , with over 25 years of experience in emergency response , provided the means for rapid communication and had the breadth to reach clinical labs across the entire state within 24 hours . When the COVID-19 pandemic first hit , the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene ( WSLH ) hosted weekly COVID-19 webinars to provide information and to answer questions on the spread of the pandemic , the testing available at the WSLH , regulatory information , and new test methods available for clinical labs . Information about supply shortages , new test methods , and validation panels was quickly disseminated through the existing WCLN laboratory messaging system and the WCLN email list serv . The WSLH sent out more than 100 validation panels to support the network in validating new SARS-CoV-2 tests . This brought testing closer to patient care and expanded the states capacity for testing quickly and well beyond what could be supported by the public health lab alone . Through the network , labs were able to help and support each other , sharing experiences , best practices , validation panels , and testing supplies . When the Wisconsin Division of Health and Human Services ( DHS ) wanted to gain insight on the testing capacity and impact of supply shortages , the WCLN facilitated the means to distribute a live survey to monitor this information . This helped facilitate state level support for the clinical labs , which resulted in the creation of a test distribution center to provide free supplies around the state . The vast amount of information and speed of change around the pandemic were challenging to keep up with . Thanks to the WCLN , the Wisconsin public health system was able to support clinical labs faster and more effectively , leading to a stronger testing system and pandemic response .
Presenter : Alana Sterkel , Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene , Alana . Sterkel @ slh . wisc . edu
Preparedness & Response
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