public health preparedness and response

by Tyler Wolford , MS , senior specialist , Public Health Preparedness and Response

In June 2016 , APHL and CDC brought together stakeholders from Laboratory Response Network ( LRN ) member laboratories , APHL , CDC , the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Defense to discuss systems for LRN data exchange , present and future . Participants outlined six goals and three core strategies to guide the evolution of LRN electronic data exchange systems .

LRN stakeholders prioritize future data exchange needs

The Laboratory Response Network , the US laboratory network for response to biological and chemical threats , employs two methods for electronic data exchange : LRN Results Messenger ( RM ) and Laboratory Information Management System integration ( LIMSi ). Launched in 2003 , LRN RM , which provides LRN laboratories with the ability to manage and share standard results data securely with CDC , represented the first step in an incremental approach to full standards-based , electronic data exchange within the LRN .

LIMSi , launched in 2010 by CDC in partnership with APHL , represents the next generation of LRN data exchange . By integrating software that LRN laboratories use to store their internal records with an automated messaging service , LIMSi is able to send critical results directly to CDC , sample submitters and other critical partners . This eliminates the time-consuming , manual double data entry required by LRN RM . LIMSi reduces errors and simplifies electronic data messaging thereby increasing the efficiency of preparedness and response efforts while reducing the burden for LRN public health laboratories .

Despite the clear benefits of LRN RM and LIMSi , both platforms require significant financial and technical support to implement and maintain , a burden shared by CDC and public health LRN member laboratories . To date , CDC has provided $ 2.2 million in funding to APHL which has been used to implement 37 LIMSi platforms . An additional eight laboratories have implemented LIMSi utilizing CDC Public Health Emergency Preparedness ( PHEP ) funding and resources .

Emory Meeks , Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , discusses leveraging current data exchange infrastructures during a strategic planning session

PROPOSED LRN DATA EXCHANGE GOALS

1 . Capture and facilitate use of accurate , timely and highconfidence lab data to inform public health decision makers

2 . Implement a scalable system that is easily and rapidly adaptable to evolving LRN requirements

3 . Support LRN member labs to update data exchange capability with financial and technical assistance

4 . Minimize burden on LRN member laboratories

5 . Ensure that LRN data exchange system is consistent with enterprise data collection strategies

6 . Improve consistency and quality of data provided to CDC

PROPOSED STRATEGIC PLANNING CORE STRATEGIES

1 . Define LRN member lab data messaging capabilities and needs 2 . Redefine data collection requirements from CDC

3 . Explore options and determine short- and long-term LRN data exchange platforms