Lab Matters Fall 2024 | Page 114

APHL 2024 POSTER ABSTRACTS

PARTNERSHIPS , ACADEMIC AND RESEARCH COLLABORATIONS , TRAINING AND OUTREACH

Better Together : Lessons Learned from Oregon ’ s Clinical Laboratory Consortium During COVID-19

M . Henning , S . Hearn , S . King , S . Wilcox , A . Saito , P . Luedtke , K . Khan , Oregon State Public Health Laboratory

Over the last three years , the world faced challenges never before seen as the SARS-CoV-2 virus spread to every corner of the globe . Through the collaborative , creative and ceaseless work of la-boratorians spanning government , academic and clinical arenas , Oregon maintained a robust testing network . This would not have been possible without the creation of the Oregon Clinical Laboratory Consortium . Started in Spring 2020 by the Oregon State Public Health Laboratory cold-calling individual laboratories , the Consortium became a place where laboratory leaders could commune to share technical advice , share reagents and supplies and support one another through a truly unprecedented event . In September 2023 , the group gathered for the first time in person and took the opportunity to reflect on the experience of the past several years .

Our analysis of the Consortium ’ s impact is broken down into three time periods , which we feel are likely to be seen in future surge or pandemic responses : 1 . introduction of the pathogen to the community , 2 . widespread community transmission but low testing capabilities and 3 . widespread community transmission and strong testing capabilities . During each period , we look at the ways the Consortium fortified this pandemic response and ways the response could have been improved . Themes include strengthening communications within both the laboratory community and state administration , resource allocations during periods of extreme shortages and prioritizing ongoing staffing and training . We plan to use this report to inform future response planning and advocate for continued funding .

Presenter : Macey Henning , macey . henning @ oha . oregon . gov

Enhancing Public Health Outreach to Improve Specimen Submissions : Insights from County of Riverside Public Health Laboratory

J . Garcia , County of Riverside Public Health Laboratory

Introduction : Public health laboratories are critical in safeguarding community health through analysis of submitted specimens . Ensuring the quality of these submissions is a critical component of testing specimens . This poster abstract focuses on our efforts at County of Riverside Public Health Laboratory to optimize public health outreach by improving the quality of specimen submissions .

Methods : We will present an overview of strategies and techniques used in our outreach efforts aimed at specimen submitters . This includes identifying target submitters , developing tailored outreach materials and establishing effective communication channels .

Key Highlights :

• Specimen Submitter Education : We developed educational programs and materials designed to inform specimen submitters about the importance of specimen quality , proper collection , handling and packaging procedures and submission protocols .

• Engaging Stakeholders : Our outreach efforts involve collaboration with healthcare providers , clinics and other stakeholders involved in the submission process . By building partnerships and sharing best practices , we promote better submission practices .

• Feedback Mechanisms : We have implemented easy to use mechanisms for specimen submitters to provide feedback and seek clarification , ensuring that questions and concerns are addressed promptly .

• Data-Driven Improvements : We will discuss how we have analyzed data related to specimen submissions and the impact of our outreach efforts , allowing us to make informed decisions .

Results : Our poster will present data on the effectiveness of our outreach programs , including a reduction in specimen rejection rates , improved specimen quality and feedback from specimen submitters indicating their satisfaction and understanding of the submission process .

Conclusion : The conclusion will provide a reflection on the importance of public health outreach in improving specimen submissions by looking at rejection rates , emphasizing the critical role that public health laboratories can play in this process . We will also stress the importance of continuous improvement and collaboration in these efforts .

Key Takeaways : Conference attendees will gain insight into the strategies and methodologies used by County of Riverside Public Health Laboratory to enhance public health outreach with a specific focus on improving specimen submissions . Our experiences can serve as valuable lessons for other public health laboratories aiming to optimize their outreach efforts for better specimen quality .

Presenter : Janet Garcia , janet . garcia @ ruhealth . org

Evaluating the Efficacy of Harmful Algal Bloom Beach Reopening Protocols in Two Putnam County Lakes .

M . Caldwell 1 , C . Tucker 1 , A . Tarrier 2 , Liz Brower 2 , V . Perrin 1 , T . Hattenrath 2 , New York State Department of Health-Wadsworth Center 1 , Putnam County Department of Health 1

Harmful algal blooms caused by cyanobacteria ( CyanoHABs ) are a growing public health concern due to the array of toxins they can produce and their implication in animal deaths and human poisoning events ( Wood 2016 ). CyanoHABs occur in New York State ( NYS ) lakes annually , disrupting local tourism and threatening ecosystem and human health . Over the last few decades , the frequency , intensity and duration of these bloom events have increased worldwide due to anthropogenically-induced changes that have caused increases in climatic warming and nutrient inputs and future trajectories indicate that these events will continue to intensify ( Heisler et al . 2008 ; Paerl and Huisman 2009 ; O ’ Neil et al . 2012 ). Consistent with this , data from NYS Department of Health ’ s