APHL 2021 Poster Abstracts
COMMUNICATIONS ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
Communications / Environmental Health
Effective Communication with Laboratories During a Pandemic Response
M . Reagan , N . Anderson , B . Chen , N . Cornish , J . Gatewood , T . Henderson-Samuel , R . Salerno , J . Bratton , B . Paul , B . Collins , K . Nhim , A . Mercante and J . Chaitam , Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , Atlanta , GA
On January 21 , 2020 , CDC launched its agency-wide response to the COVID-19 pandemic , and laboratories and testing sites across the country prepared for a surge in SARS-CoV-2 testing . At the onset of the pandemic , information for laboratories and testing sites was limited – and as the situation evolved , the need for prompt , credible information increased . To help bridge this information gap , CDC ’ s Division of Laboratory Systems ( DLS ) implemented a three-pronged approach to optimize communication with laboratories and testing sites : hosting regular Clinical Laboratory COVID-19 Response ( CLCR ) Calls , supporting the development of a robust portfolio of content for CDC ’ s COVID-19 Information for Laboratories website , and disseminating regular email updates via the Laboratory Outreach Communication System , or LOCS .
On March 23 , 2020 , DLS convened the first CLCR Call . This was the agency ’ s first large-scale partner call specifically designed for the laboratory and testing community . Calls were hosted weekly until June 22 , then ( based on participants ’ feedback ) shifted to twice a month . Sample agenda topics have included laboratory testing , anatomic pathology , biosafety , and laboratory data reporting . These calls are an important opportunity for coordination – guest speakers include experts from CDC , other federal agencies , and the laboratory community . In 2020 , DLS convened 26 CLCR Calls , with an average of 1,400 participants at each .
CDC has created a robust Information for Laboratories about Coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) website , with DLS serving as a content expert for biosafety and laboratory testing , including hot topics like specimen collection , antigen testing , pooling , and point-of-care ( POC ) testing . CDC has also published frequently asked questions ( FAQs ) about COVID-19 for Laboratories page . Both the “ Interim Guidelines for Collecting , Handling , and Testing Clinical Specimens for COVID-19 ” web page and the “ Information for Laboratories ” web page were viewed more than 2.5 million times in 2020 . CDC uses LOCS to disseminate email updates to laboratories and testing sites about new resources , regulatory guidance , the Clinical Laboratory COVID-19 Response Calls , and other topics related to emergency preparedness . This established , two-way line of communication for laboratories and testing sites has proven to be invaluable during an emergency response . In 2020 , DLS increased the number of LOCS subscribers by 700 percent and sent more than 120 LOCS messages . As the response continues , it is critical to maintain a systematic and coordinated communication effort among federal agencies , laboratories and testing sites , and other stakeholders . Effective communication empowers laboratories and testing sites to protect patients and save lives on the front lines of the COVID-19 response .
Presenter : Meredith Reagan , Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , lte6 @ cdc . gov
Prenatal Screening and Interventions for Lead and Mercury : Reducing Exposure
E . Bind , A . Steffens , A . Krasley , M . McConico , V . Chandra , C . H . Yu , D . Haltmeier and T . Fan , New Jersey Department of Health , Ewing , NJ
Lead and mercury readily cross the placental barrier and can severely harm developing babies ’ brains and bodies , change behavior , and cause other issues . Taking steps early to reduce mothers ’ exposure helps reduce babies ’ in utero exposure . NJ Biomonitoring partnered with University Hospital ( UH ) in Newark , NJ to offer prenatal lead and mercury testing as standard-of-care to the patient population . Expectant mothers receive educational materials on minimizing exposure and micronutrient supplements at the first prenatal visit . A tube of blood is also collected at that visit , as is cord blood for the baby at birth . The specimens are sent to the NJ Biomonitoring for testing and the results are sent back to help guide doctors in making medical decisions . Patients with elevated lead ( ≥ 5 µ g / dL ) or mercury ( ≥ 5 µ g / L ) receive care through UH and other resources through Program partners . Elevated mercury samples are speciated and those data are combined with questionnaires to identify the source . Follow up testing is conducted to ensure that interventions are successful and compared to the cord blood at birth . To date , NJ Biomonitoring has analyzed specimens from over 5000 individual patients . The Program worked with UH to modify collection procedures at the beginning of the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak to ensure continuity of this essential service while minimizing the risk for staff . The project is broken up into two phases of 6 and 12 months respectively . Phase 1 is the initial stage while doctors acclimated to their new duties and where many mothers received their first screening in their 2nd or 3rd trimester ; Phase 2 is comprised of mothers who entered the program at their first prenatal visit allowing for earlier interventions . Beyond identifying emergency cases , we found a surprising trend for mercury with 50 % of patients having levels at which health effects can be expected in babies . This trend reflects what has been seen nationally in general immigrant populations in other studies . Chi-squared analysis indicates a significant trend in reduced exposure in babies during Phase 2 as compared to Phase 1 . Beyond the testing , NJ Biomonitoring is working with project partners and stakeholders to identify and address peripheral matters related to the screening including immediate and long-term follow up protocols for mercury exposure , health limits , and determining which life stages should receive testing as standard-of-care .
Presenter : Eric Bind , New Jersey Department of Health , eric . bind @ doh . nj . gov
NJHANES — Conducting a Population Study in a Pandemic Era
E . Cook , C . H . Yu , E . Bind , S . O ’ Leary , C . Riker , L . Qiao and T . Fan , New Jersey Department of Health , Ewing , NJ
NJ Biomonitoring is conducting a probability-based NJ population surveillance study , “ NJHANES — NJ Health and Nutrition Examination Survey .” A cost-effective approach to conduct subject recruitment , sample collection and results reporting is challenging and critical for the success of the population surveillance study . The COVID-19 pandemic added additional challenges to planning due to concerns from close contact between study staff and the public .
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LAB MATTERS Summer 2021 |
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