Volume 17, Number 6—June 2011
Synopsis
Reality Check of Laboratory Service Effectiveness during Pandemic (H1N1) 2009, Victoria, Australia
Michael Catton
, Julian Druce, Georgina Papadakis, Thomas Tran, and Christopher Birch
, Julian Druce, Georgina Papadakis, Thomas Tran, and Christopher BirchTable
Summary of laboratory effectiveness during pandemic (H1N1) 2009, Victoria, Australia, 2009
| Challenge | Potential solution |
|---|---|
| Data management | |
| Pressure on specimen data entry into laboratory information system | Direct electronic communications of specimen data from referring source to laboratory |
| Missing telephone, fax, address details on request forms | Direct electronic communication of results from laboratory to referring source |
| Volume of negative results precluding telephone contact with
referring source |
Direct electronic communication of results from laboratory to
referring source |
| Specimen transport | |
| Slow | Multi-institution planning of efficient emergency specimen transport |
| Poor interfacing with test start times in laboratory |
Multi-institution planning of efficient emergency specimen
transport |
| Staff | |
| Finite laboratory staff resources |
Further minimization of manual steps for specimen processing
and additional staff cross-training |
| Telephone inquiries | |
| Difficulty manning switchboard over extended laboratory hours | Planning for additional agency staff during emergencies |
| High call volume to laboratory taking scientific staff away from
testing |
Minimization of inquiries through improved specimen transport
and data management |
| Reagents | |
| Shortages threatening test capacity |
Expansion of reagent stockpile and use of validated test
protocols using reduced reagent volumes |
| Communication | |
| Misunderstandings regarding scope and objectives of
laboratory testing |
Strengthened lines of communication between laboratories,
clinicians, and health authorities |
| Pandemic planning | |
| Lack of flexibility to accommodate verging levels of influenza activity at state jurisdiction level | Adapted pandemic plan |
