National Laboratory System Pilot Program- A Solution for All States?
Lori Uscher, MS
Association of Public Health Laboratories
Research Objective:
The goal of the National Laboratory Systems pilot
project is to evaluate the progress and achievements of four demonstration
sites funded in 2001-2002 to pursue NLS-related objectives within their
respective states. The NLS is a bold concept, with the potential to position
the public health community to respond more effectively to a wide range of
threats. The purpose of the NLS is to assure available, consistent laboratory
testing capacity for public health practice across the nation by improving
communications between public and private (clinical) laboratories.
Study Design:
In December 2002 APHL sent out a final survey of 55 questions
to the four demonstration sites. The questions traced the NLS activities
pursued since the projects launch in 2001, and focused on process, visibility
within the state, relationships with stakeholders, continuation of activities
after the projects completion, and most importantly, how activities may be
extrapolated to other states. States pursued NLS objectives in different ways
including the development of public-private state laboratory databases, on-site
visits to clinical labs, as well as the hiring of laboratory program advisors (LPAs)
to coordinate training efforts.
Population Studied:
The project assessed the activities, achievements, and
lessons learned in a pilot project limited to four states. While the NLS
concept is to encourage public-private laboratory partnerships at the state and
federal level, the pilot project tested the feasibility of such a concept. It
examined the extent to which NLS activities enhanced communication with
clinical laboratories and actually improved health services management.
Principal Findings:
The results show that there are many paths to the same
destination. States showed great variability in their activities, although they
did rely on a common set of tools such as surveys, laboratory databases, and
the work of an LPA. All the states found that the NLS concept had relevance in
areas outside the realm of BT. These states plan to continue programs initiated
under the project with funding from other sources. The demonstration sites also
produced training materials that maybe useful for other states eager to pursue
NLS objectives.
Conclusions:
States who actively pursued public-private laboratory
connectivity through the NLS concept found an improvement in health services
management, communication, and connectedness (which are vital to all public
health initiatives and especially important with the increased risk of
bioterrorism.) The concept allowed for a great deal of flexibility in its
implementation, which permits states to chart their own path.
Implications for Policy, Delivery, or Practice: The study shows that states
interested in improving public-private laboratory interaction can draw from a
common set of tools, can use the example of the demonstration sites as models,
and can evaluate the best practices/general guidelines already tested by the
pilot states.
Primary Funding Source: CDC
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