Lab Matters Fall 2024 | Page 125

APHL 2024 POSTER ABSTRACTS

Solutions to Address Declining State and Local Radiochemistry Laboratory Workforce Trends

R . Riessen , J . Hanratty , Association of Public Health Laboratories

The United States is losing its capacity to measure radioactive materials accurately and precisely in a timely manner , jeopardizing its ability to respond effectively to radiological disasters and carry out continuous regulatory testing . The expertise for this capability has been diminishing for decades . State and local public health laboratories conduct much of this testing and therefore , it is essential to understand past workforce trends to guide solutions moving forward . This poster provides a retrospective summary of support for radiochemistry in state and local public health laboratories ( 2008-2022 ) gathered via the APHL All- Hazards Laboratory Preparedness Survey . It analyzes trends in radiochemistry data to offer potential solutions to reduce workforce vulnerabilities , particularly the need for skilled professionals with advanced radiochemistry education . Solutions include a new professional certificate program available through the University of Iowa offering hands-on training , scholarship and mentorship opportunities for radiochemistry professionals and the new APHL Radiochemistry Community of Practice . The Radiochemistry Community of Practice brings together public health radiochemists , including students participating in the certificate program , to share model practices and learn how to optimize approaches for radiochemistry testing . Together , these solutions provide a previously unmatched opportunity to reverse declining workforce trends and fortify the public health laboratory radiochemistry workforce .

Presenter : Royce Riessen , royce . riessen @ aphl . org

Using an AI-embedded Mind Map to Create an Information Model of a Public Health Laboratory System

F . Nindo 1 , J . Favate 1 , B . Jeong 1 , S . Verma 1 , N . Palmateer 1 , A . Hassan 1 , J . Studebaker 1 , A . Doggett 1 , D . Woell 1 , A . Oyelade 1 , E . Acheampong 1 , T . Kirn 1 , R . Siderits 2 , S . Mikorski 2 , New Jersey Public Health and Environmental Laboratories 1 , New Jersey Department of Health 2

Background : Organizational mapping is a well-established concept for visualizing various processes , organizational roles and relationships , in a complex system . “ Mind maps ” are interactive visual diagrams that represent ideas , concepts or tasks centered around a main theme or topic . They are structured hierarchically , using branches radiating from the center to depict connected subtopics or related information . The mind map platform that we chose is inexpensive , cloud based , supports concurrent editing , with an embedded large language model ( LLM ) to quickly generate descriptive content . Several mind maps can be connected to render information for larger systems .

Objectives : Our main goal is to succinctly and graphically describe the relationships between the various units of the Distributed Public Health Laboratory Infrastructure ( DPHLI ). In doing so , we hope to provide its members and the public with an increased understanding of how information flows through the DPHLI . Internally , this will help the various branches contextualize their work , identify gaps in communication and find new opportunities for collaboration . Externally , it will provide transparency in how the public health system works , hopefully increasing trust in the system .

Methodology : Approach to making a mind map using this type of platform involves the following steps : Open the mind map platform in a standard browser window and select a template or theme for a “ Board .” Place your cursor on the Board and select “ Generate with AI .” This opens a window for a question e . g . “ Show a process ...”, Choose a format : Flowchart , Mind Map , Sequence Diagram ; Add , Revise , or delete any content on any tab ; Work collaboratively with others or send a View only link ; Expand on any tab with “ Generate Ideas ” or use any LLM .

Results & Discussion : We show specific scenarios for how mind maps can be used including : interactively navigating an entire organization as an information model in one interface ; branching to other mind maps to explore system or division level relationships , showing relationships between organizational units , tests , regulatory compliance and methodologies ; as a flow of information , explaining the public health laboratory system and its many relationships to non-scientists , using an easily navigable interface ; representing the Laboratory and its various roles and responsibilities to the public through a web-based browser ; informing Laboratory Technologist Training and Educational programs , about the range and scope of Public Health Laboratory testing methods and technologies ; providing links to vetted demonstrations of test methodologies ; embedding “ Pre-Defined ” PubMed searches , or access to regulatory agency databases .

Conclusions : Potential for using mind maps in a PHL include : disease outbreak management and visualization ; interdivisional mind maps with other state agencies ; system overview under the One Health federal initiative ; grants management ; portray grant processes ; linked standard operating procedures ; data analysis and research flow mapping ; risk assessment and management ; enhanced virtual collaboration center ; it is distributable and can be continuously updated .

Presenter : Fredrick Nindo , fredrick . nindo @ doh . nj . gov

SURVEILLANCE , OUTBREAKS AND EMERGING INFECTIONS

Characterization of a Real Time RT-PCR assay for New World Orthohantavirus Detection

S . Hepp 1 , M . Deldari 1 , S . Whitmer 2 , M . Morales-Betoulle 2 , L . Sayyad 2 , J . Montgomery 2 , H . Tamnanchit 1 , J . Klena 2 , S . Messenger 1 , California Department of Public Health 1 , Centers for Disease Control and

Prevention 2

New World Orthohantaviruses are a diverse group of segmented RNA viruses that include several human pathogens . While reverse transcription real time PCR ( rRT-PCR ) assays exist for a few specific orthohantavirus species , a single assay for the detection of all New World Orthohanta-viruses has not been developed . In this work , an existing rRT-PCR assay originally developed by Bagamian et al . ( 2012 ) for the detection of Sin Nombre virus was assessed as a candidate for broad New World Orthohantavirus detection . Assay performance using two different PCR kits ( Superscript III Platinum One Step qRT PCR kit and Luna Probe One-Step RT-qPCR 4X Mix with UDG ) and varying PCR cycling conditions was first characterized to assess the versatility of the primer / probe sets . In addition , singleplex ( hantavirus-specific target and internal control reactions