Lab Matters Summer 2016 | Page 35

member spotlight

Assistant Director of Health Amy Fagan, MPA, and Director of Health Lou Kreidler, RN, BSN

Laboratory Senior Administrative Clerk Teresa Hornsby

In addition to this clinical work, the laboratory performs water bacteriology on about 5,000 water samples per year. The tests are done for public water utilities in eight counties— for individuals drilling wells and for individuals, mobile home parks and RV parks concerned about water quality after floods.

Other environmental testing encompasses a variety of sample matrices from soil to swabs to food. Chattin said,“ We test a lot of soft serve ice cream for restaurants around town,” a safety measure mandated by the county. Since the health department runs the local animal shelter and animal control office, the laboratory also processes and packages the heads of animals suspected of carrying rabies. It then ships the heads to the state public health laboratory for rabies testing.

Successes

The laboratory considers every satisfied customer a success. However, two recent laboratory-supported efforts are particularly noteworthy.

Laboratory Technical Supervisor David Chattin prepares culture media to test local restaurants ice cream for harmful bacteria

• This past spring, the Wichita Falls Health District documented more than 30 possible cases of Shigella, almost twice as many as in 2015. An epidemiological investigation backstopped by the public health laboratory pinpointed one source of the pathogenic bacterium, which is often linked to fecal matter— the sink in the boys’ bathroom at a local elementary school. The finding, said Chattin provided“ a good educational opportunity to explain the importance of cleanliness” to the school children. As a result of the definitive laboratory data, school administrators redoubled their efforts to assure cleaning practices meet high standards.

• A 2015 syphilis outbreak was resolved after a couple of infected individuals turned to the health department for low-cost testing. After the laboratory confirmed their disease status, health officials were able to track down the common source of infection— a male prostitute living in a local motel.“ He was treated and cured, and that stopped the outbreak right there,” said Chattin.“ He really wasn’ t going to come in to get tested on his own. People in that profession are wary of government programs; they’ re unaware of how [ federal privacy laws ] work. We’ re completely non-judgmental. We just want to deliver the health care.”

Challenges

While additional resources would be helpful, Chattin said staffing“ is the big issue.” To interested Lab Matters readers, he says,“ Please apply [ for the open laboratory technician position ]. I’ d like to take a vacation sometime.” He promised,“ The job is not boring.”

Goals

• To complete a successful transition to the Public Health Information Management System( PHIMS), which will eventually be used by all health district programs. Because the system is still under development even as the laboratory is implementing it, Chattin said,“ It’ s one of those situations where you have to be flexible.”

• To ready the laboratory for its upcoming CLIA inspection. Chattin is in the process of reviewing standard operating procedures.

• To hire a second laboratory technician and“ get them trained up.”

In addition, Chattin said, the laboratory is always considering adding new tests to better meet client needs.