FEATURE SPOTLIGHT: PUBLIC HEALTH PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE
Safety and Quality: Key Components of a Laboratory System
By Stormy Chester, senior specialist, Public Health Preparedness and Response
“ A successful laboratory is built on a strong foundation of safety and quality.”
— Scott Shone, PhD, HCLD( ABB), Laboratory Director, North Carolina State Laboratory of Public Health
Safety and quality are key components of a laboratory system. While these areas are often managed separately, there is a benefit to bringing them together. When safety and quality work in tandem, it can lead to smoother operations, stronger communication and a laboratory culture where staff feel supported. Today’ s laboratory professionals are finding practical ways to merge safety and quality in their daily work. The following professionals show what is possible when safety and quality are no longer siloed. Their efforts serve as inspiration for others looking to create a more connected and impactful laboratory environment. g
Kayle Cirrincione Health, Safety and Preparedness Manager Dallas County Health and Human Services
It has been made a priority to work closely with our Quality Team to ensure safety and
quality are fully integrated. It started with incorporating biosafety risk assessments into the onboarding of new tests, and it grew into a strong, ongoing partnership. Together, we conduct annual internal audits that give us a well-rounded view of lab operations and help drive meaningful improvements. With our new lab opening later this year, this collaboration has become even more critical— keeping us aligned, strengthening our lab culture and supporting stronger outcomes for both our team and public health.
Kate Fitzpatrick, MPH, MBA, MB( ASCP) CM Deputy Bureau Chief Arizona Department of Health Services
In January 2024, our Quality Assurance( QA) department enhanced internal audits to include method witness observations, using a detailed checklist to assess compliance with standard operating procedures, good laboratory practices and safety policies. Identified safety concerns are shared with management and the Biosafety Officer, strengthening collaboration. This process led to improvements, including harmonizing personal protective equipment protocols across our open microbiology floor after inconsistencies with safety glasses were noted. It also clarified clean glove usage through staff engagement, observations and updated signage.
To further integrate safety and quality, a QA representative now serves on both the Biosafety Subcommittee and Safety Committee. This collaboration has helped create a more consistent and proactive laboratory environment.
Jill Power, MS Retired Deputy Director New Hampshire Public Health Laboratories
By introducing the Biorisk Management Standard ISO 35001: Biorisk Management for Laboratories, it formalized our safety program, ensured procedures were relevant to staff, improved how issues were addressed and established continuous monitoring of safety practices. Following the ISO standard guidelines, we also developed a process to communicate quality and safety findings and made them available to all management and staff using different communication methods— bulletin board, committee minutes, email, staff meetings, trainings and management review reports.
Using quality principles also allows the safety program to become more robust by implementing metrics that are monitored over time. Safety metrics enhance the quality program by having measures and monitors to ensure safety infractions are mitigated in a timely manner and to eliminate future safety problems.
Ninecia Scott, PhD Quality Assurance and Safety Group Manager Virginia Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services
Our organization consolidates various testing( e. g., clinical, environmental, emergency response, and consumer protections) and services. Through quality assurance and safety( QAS), we ensure compliance with federal, state and local standards and regulations and promote a safe workplace protecting personnel who provide these services.
Our team’ s joint goals are to continuously improve and implement current best practices essential to mitigating risks
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