Lab Matters Fall 2024 | Page 118

APHL 2024 POSTER ABSTRACTS

( DPHLI ) model . This survey was conducted with funding from the Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity ( ELC ) Enhancing grant NOA #: 6 NU50CK000525-01-04

Presenter : Susan Mikorski , Susan . MIkorski @ doh . nj . gov

Autoclave Sterilization Validation and Verification Processes for Biowaste

J . Romanow 1 , M . Stevenson 2 , Association of Public Health Laboratories 1 , New Hampshire Public Health Laboratories 2

Public health laboratories regularly handle pathogenic samples that can expose people beyond those working primarily with those samples , including those who handle generated waste that is considered hazardous to human contact . Federal guidelines outline an expectation to sterilize all potentially infectious waste by appropriate methods before being removed from the working area . There are multiple approved methods for sterilization including chemical treatments ( e . g . quaternary ammonium salt , sodium hypochlorite , alkaline digestion , formaldehyde vapors ), radiation treatment ( e . g . ionizing , ultraviolet ), incineration and autoclave sterilization . Because chemical treatments are usually used for surface decontamination of impervious material and facilities may not have access to an incinerator , autoclave use through thermal ( steam or dry heat ) sterilization is recommended . To ensure autoclave sterilization cycles are effective for a variety of biowaste types ( e . g . variable volume and waste content ), sterilization validation ( e . g ., run time and temperature determination ) for each cycle and continuous verification for each cycle run ( e . g . autoclave tape , bioindicator ) must be regularly undertaken . The state of New Hampshire Public Health Laboratories ( NH PHL ) is conducting efforts to standardize validation and verification of autoclave runs across the various testing units working in a Biosafety Level ( BSL ) 2 and BSL-3 settings in the facility . Validation indicators will include biological and chemical indicators as well as temperature and pressure data loggers . Autoclave cycle parameters such as time and temperature and worst-case simulated biowaste load scenarios will be explored to validate the sterilization process for effective biowaste decontamination .

Presenter : Joseph Romanow , joseph . r . romanow @ affiliate . dhhs . nh . gov

Empowering Microbiology Operations with PowerBI and LIMS Integration : A Case Study From WA PHL

M . Gomaa , N . Ruehlen , V . Aoki , DCHS , PHL WA State DOH

Introduction : Manual quality assurance ( QA ) reporting in the Public Health Microbiology Laboratory ( PHL ) hinders efficiency and results in delayed information regarding important specimen condition data , which in turn limits proactive response and resource optimization . Transitioning away from manual reporting to dynamic automated data visualization via PowerBI-driven dashboarding is potentially valuable but faces a number of challenges . Among these are integration of automatically refreshed laboratory information management system ( LIMS ) data , addressing data quality inconsistencies through development of validation approaches and data visualization design that takes into consideration the diversity of user profiles . The present study aims to describe optimized workflows for developing Power BI-driven QA dashboards integrated with existing LIMS . The study demonstrates the value of these activities for providing real-time insights into and improvements in specimen rejection rates , turnaround times and specimen condition .

Methods : The project involved data cleansing and harmonization to successfully extract QA data from the current LIMS SQL database . A real-time connection between PowerBI and LIMS was established to ensure dynamic dashboard updates . User-centered design principles guided the development of interactive visualizations catering to diverse user needs .

Results : The implemented dashboard successfully visualizes key quality indicators across various specimen types and tests . Drill-down capabilities enable deeper analytics by laboratory unit , specimen source , rejection reasons and condition discrepancies .

Impact :

• Improved efficiency : Microbiologists spend less time on manual QA data analysis , allocating more time to core tasks .

• Enhanced quality control : Proactive identification of specimen rejection patterns and specimen condition issues reduces errors and improves specimen handling .

• Faster turnaround times : Streamlined workflow optimizes resource allocation based on real-time data insights .

• Data-driven decision making : Informed decision-making regarding resource allocation , staffing adjustments and process improvement initiatives is now possible .

Conclusion : This case study demonstrates the successful implementation of a PowerBI QA data visualization dashboard that integrates key data from the PHL LIMS . The project resulted in significant improvements in operational efficiency and quality control . These improvements ultimately enable data-driven decision making for better public health outcomes .

Presenter : Mohamed Gomaa , spockegypt @ gmail . com

Evaluation of Comprehensive Risk Assessment Processes in the Virginia Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services

C . Bell 1 , D . Powell 2 , C . Lythgoe 2 , J . Radford 2 , K . Milloy 2 , P . Hetterich 2 , E . Basinger 2 , M . Freeman 2 , D . Toney 2 , Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 1 , Virginia Division of Consolidated Laboratory

Services 2

Background : Effective risk evaluation is essential for a secure laboratory environment , personnel safety and accident prevention to protect the public and the environment from exposures . Independent evaluation of the biologic risk assessment ( RA ) processes at Virginia ’ s Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services ( DCLS ), revealed deficiencies and need for a tailored RA process . Because the evaluation exposed deficiencies , including a narrowly focused , paper-based RA process lacking the ability to assign values for risk assessment levels , a biorisk management team ( BMT ) was formed to address these deficiencies .

Methods : To address gaps in the existing , paper-based biological RA form , BMT created a customized Microsoft Excel ® -based RA tool for DCLS staff . A comparative analysis assessed the new RA tool ’ s effectiveness at hazard identification and risk evaluation against the existing form .

Results : BMT observed that the existing paper-based biologic RA form could assess procedural steps of accessioning and processing