Lab Matters Fall 2023 | Page 66

APHL 2023 POSTER ABSTRACTS

individually and in aggregate . The toolset leverages standard ISO Schematron files specific to eICR CDA documents that include standard conformance assertions and extended assertions for more granular quality assessment . Schematron files are implemented in a Rhapsody Integration Engine route that processes each eICR individually and persists document , assertion failure , and summary information into a database repository for further analysis and reporting .

Key features of the Data Quality Rhapsody Route and Repository are :

1 . For each eICR received , capture , and persist key data elements for analysis :

a . Unique identifier of the eICR linked to reports and errors b . Key sending provider information

2 . Process the eICR through a standard and local schematron validation filter

3 . Collect and persist each Schematron assertion failure 4 . Log any errors while processing the Schematron validation

5 . Group assertions and create summary reports that are configurable by the jurisdiction for custom reporting and monitoring

A default eICR data quality schematron file is provided by APHL but jurisdictions have the option of implementing a local schematron file along with the default . The local schematron can include local jurisdiction specific assertions and configuration options in the route allow for local rules to override defaults in cases where they conflict or are redundant . The data quality toolset is currently implemented in Rhapsody with plans for implementation in Mirth , and Pilotfish . The repository can be hosted in any standard database and has been tested in Microsoft SQL server and PostgreSQL . The primary use of the eCR Data Quality Route is to assess initial data quality of eICR ’ s generated by providers during the eCR onboarding process and for ongoing monitoring of production message feeds . The route has been deployed to multiple PHAs and is used on the AIMS platform to assess message quality during provider onboarding . Jurisdictions , as well as the national team , can find issues in real-time to improve initial quality or discover patterns over time . Electronic case reporting is a critical requirement for modernizing disease surveillance to continuously improve public health .

Presenter : Rachel Shepherd , rachel . shepherd @ aphl . org

ETOR : A National Solution

R . Shepherd , D . Shirazi , R . Merrick ; Association of Public Health Laboratories

The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored public health ’ s need to modernize the way we exchange data . The ability to electronically exchange test orders and results ( ETOR ) on a wide scale would revolutionize public health . The sooner laboratories receive and process test orders , the faster they can return results — essential for surveillance , outbreak and public health emergency response and early intervention . APHL has been developing a centralized and national ETOR solution using AIMS as an intermediary that could enable widespread ETOR adoption across public health . Laboratories are urgently striving to develop ETOR solutions and connect with partners , but there is an opportunity to achieve nationwide growth , capitalize on economies of scale , and to build and maintain a single solution that could benefit everyone ( rather than have every entity develop a single and disparate solution ). Session attendees will learn how they can take advantage of the proposed solution and services to meet their ETOR needs . They will also have the opportunity to hear from laboratories about how they are engaging in ETOR now , as well as how they plan to in the future . The ability for public health laboratories to seamlessly exchange electronic test orders and results with submitters is an imperative public health need and it is also now a required activity under CDC ’ s Data Modernization Initiative ( DMI ). Additionally , widespread workforce challenges have made it clear that laboratories do not have the necessary informatics workforce to build and maintain longterm ETOR solutions independently . This collective approach could enable significant ETOR gains by leveraging shared resources and expertise .

Presenter : Rachel Shepherd , rachel . shepherd @ aphl . org

Informatics Workforce Development and Training

V . Olanrewaju , DC Department of Forensic Sciences Public Health Laboratory

Informatics is the study of computational systems . One type of system used within Informatics is a Laboratory Information Management System ( LIMS ). LIMS lets you effectively control the flow of samples and data associated with them to boost productivity in the lab . LIMS helps to standardize tests , procedures , and workflows while also providing precise process controls . By reducing manual labor , a laboratory information management system LIMS aims to increase productivity , accuracy , and quality control . LIMS provides unique and highly specialized testing and other services for public health laboratories . With post-covid increases in testing and surveillance , it is imperative that public health laboratories operate at top efficiency . In order to do that , public health laboratories must ensure that laboratory staff are adequately trained in the use of LIMS . With LIMS being used wholly and correctly , this will help to ensure the laboratory is satisfactory in testing outputs and workflows . After an annual gap analysis on the Washington , D . C . Public Health Laboratory ( DC PHL ), it was found that majority of DC PHL ’ s identified areas of need were underutilization of the LIMS for lack of user training . This points to a great need to strengthen workforce management and training in LIMS . This poster will examine some of the obstacles , successes , and necessary enhancements taken at the DC PHL in 2022 and 2023 to revamp current training in order to strengthen the workforce with training from the informatics unit .

Presenter : Venessa Olanrewaju , venessaolanrewaju @ gmail . com

Inventory and Evaluation of Laboratory Informatics Systems : A How-to Guide

M . Akre , B . Van , M . Yost-Daljev , J . Michael Consulting

It has been several years since APHL released the Informatics Self- Assessment Tool , and more than a decade since the publication of APHL ’ s Requirements for Public Health Laboratory Information Management Systems ( RPHLIMS ). This tool and this document have become indispensable resources for public health informatics projects . In this poster , we explain how to leverage these resources , in combination with remote and onsite discovery , to conduct a