Employees or staff of any member laboratories.
Proposals Should Address the Topics Described in the Questions Below:
1. What is the impact of the public health laboratory (PHL) system on the public’s health?
We presume that public health laboratories are an important component of the larger public health system. Determining how the public health laboratory system impacts the populations it serves will help to further understand how to build capacity. Therefore, we are interested in studies that examine how the public health laboratory system(s) relate to and underpin the larger public health system. Examples of proposals that address this question are:
· How is laboratory based surveillance data used to track specific diseases (for example influenza or HIV)?
· How is laboratory data applied to prevention and control programs?
2. What quality systems ensure public health laboratory quality?
Partner laboratories within each state are required to maintain certain accreditation standards such as CLIA, ISO, NELAC, etc. Examples of proposals that address this question are:
· To what extent do the accreditation programs assure quality?
· How do the various accreditation programs overlap?
· Are there identified gaps in the accreditation quality standards?
· How do you identify gaps in your laboratories’ internal quality improvement processes?
3. What does it mean that there is a public health laboratory workforce shortage and what solutions are available?
Despite the importance of public health to society, the public health laboratory workforce faces critical challenges, namely a precipitous decline in a number of resources (i.e., fiscal and human resources). Left unresolved, the workforce challenges may undermine the ability of this important and dedicated workforce to protect the public’s health. We seek to measure the scope and impact of workforce shortages, predict the impacted areas of public health and determine solutions, including incentives to recruit and retain new workforce. Examples of proposals that address this question are:
· What innovative and sustainable practices could help address the workforce shortage?
· How do you capture the institutional knowledge from departing employees?
· Does your laboratory have any unique processes in place to retain qualified staff?
4. What do PHLs need (functionally) from the next generation of laboratory information management systems (LIMS)?
Sharing data across public health laboratories and among key partners within the greater healthcare system is essential for public health reporting, planning strategies and response to outbreaks and events. Public health laboratories at all levels are facing challenges in efficiently and effectively sharing data among themselves and with their clinical and private sector partners. In addition, the constant and expensive need to update LIMS capabilities has left public health laboratories in a reactionary position. Examples of proposals that address this question are:
· How do you evaluate a LIMS?
· What methods are effective for LIMS implementation?
· What are novel ways of sending/receiving data within the state public health system (i.e. with epidemiology or receiving data from private clinical laboratories)?
5. What does the ideal PHL system look like?
Understanding what components are necessary for the ideal public health laboratory system helps to further develop a sense of core capacity. Understanding how the PHL system fits in with the larger national laboratory system will also help to ensure the two collaborate and a sense of community is fostered. Examples of proposals that address this question are:
· How are the members of the state public health laboratories integrated within the public health system?
· How is the system’s performance assessed?
· How do you build networks with other health system partners?
6. What are the benefits of new technology?
Members have cited a need to evaluate emerging technologies. We welcome and promote all opportunities, including collaboration with private industry, to develop projects that evaluate new technologies to assist public health laboratories in their decision making. Examples of proposals that address this question are:
· How do you evaluate new testing technology?
· What means could be used to do a cost benefit analysis of new technology?