member spotlight
the Virginia Division of Consolidated
Laboratory Services and “decided that’s
what I wanted to do—work in a public
health laboratory.” Since her husband
was looking at pharmacy residency
programs in Southern California,
Crumpler “cold-called” laboratory
directors there, ultimately securing a
position as a supervising microbiologist
at the Riverside Public Health Laboratory.
“They took a chance with me,” she said.
“They were establishing their succession
plan, and they wanted someone with
a PhD.… I was the succession plan.”
Crumpler did her mandatory training
and testing to secure a California Public
Health Microbiologist certificate, and,
after passing the American Board of
Bioanalysis board exam, became head
of the Riverside laboratory in July 2014.
Then in April 2017, she segued over to
the nearby Orange County Public Health
Laboratory, which she directs today, in
addition to her work as interim director
of the Riverside laboratory. Crumpler
said her departure presents “a good
opportunity for a new director to step in.”
Staff
The laboratory employs 12 people:
an interim director, a supervising
public health microbiologist, three
senior laboratory assistants, five
public health microbiologists and
two clerical staff. Currently, there
are openings for a public health
microbiologist and laboratory director.
Revenue
The laboratory’s annual $1.2 million
budget comes from two main sources:
(1) STD screening for clients enrolled
in Family PACT, the California Medicaid
family planning program, and (2) work
for the RUHS medical center and the
county’s occupational health program.
Testing
The bulk of the 40,000 tests performed
at the laboratory annually are assays for
sexually transmitted infections, such as
chlamydia and gonorrhea nucleic acid
amplification tests and HIV, hepatitis and
syphilis serology. Mycobacterium culture
and testing comprise another chunk of
the laboratory’s work, amounting to about
2,000 tests/year. Altogether the laboratory
confirms about 75% of all new TB cases
in Riverside County. In addition, the
laboratory offers reference bacteriology
services to local hospitals and clinical
labs and performs rabies testing on
domestic and wild animals. In 2016, out
of about 450 rabies examinations, six
bats were found to have the disease.
The Riverside Public Health Laboratory
is part of four California disease
surveillance networks: influenza and
other respiratory infections, norovirus,
measles and mumps. In each of these
laboratory-based networks, the state
provides reagents to local public health
laboratories to expand the reach of
surveillance testing and to reduce
turn-around times, which is especially
important when outbreaks are detected.
Success Stories
• Since 2009, the laboratory has used the
STARLIMSTM laboratory information
management system, which supports
electronic test ordering and results
reporting with the RUHS medical
center, automatic electronic reportable
disease notifications to the state, and
electronic invoicing of the FQHCs
that serve Family PACT clients.
• Riverside University Health System–
Public Health is in the final stages
of securing accreditation through
the Public Health Accreditation
Board. As part of this process, the
laboratory participated in on-site
evaluations and “got a great report.”
• The laboratory enjoys a “really
great partnership” with county
disease control and occupational
health officials. In particular, the
three partners work together
in contact investigations when
someone is diagnosed with TB
in a workplace or school.
PublicHealthLabs
@APHL
APHL.org
A Riverside Public Health Laboratory staff member
prepares samples for testing. Photo: Riverside
University Health System
Challenges
The main challenge, said Crumpler is
“not having an on-site director.” She
said, “We have a fantastic supervisor,
Gina Douville, MPA, who has stepped up
to help fill this role until a permanent
director is hired. I cannot say enough
nice things to acknowledge all she’s
taken on. She has exceeded all
expectations.” Other challenges include:
• Logistics around the laboratory
expansion and remodel.
• Limited funding for new equipment.
“We depend on leftover grant
money from other departments.”
• The loss of the laboratory’s only
informatics expert, whose part-
time position was eliminated
following his retirement.
Goals
The ongoing reinvention of Riverside
County Public Health Laboratory includes:
• Transitioning to a new platform for
molecular testing to better align
with CDC protocols for emerging
infectious disease assays.
• Developing capability for
electronic test ordering and results
reporting with local FQHCs.
• Completing the laboratory’s
expansion and remodel.
• Recruiting a new laboratory
director. Said Crumpler, “There is
great potential for this laboratory,
because there is great administrative
support within the public health
department. [Local health officials]
really see the lab as an asset.” n
Winter 2018 LAB MATTERS
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