Functional Assessment of Hospital Laboratory Packaging and Shipping Preparedness in New York State

Paula A Pennell; Alan J Antenucci; Lynn E Brennan; Robert L Burhans; Stephanie E Ostrowski; NYS DOH Drill Development Team

doi:10.29074/ascls.21.4.199

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Paula A Pennell, MPH⇑
Alan J Antenucci

are laboratory preparedness coordinators, Wadsworth Center Laboratory Response Network, New York State Department of Health, Albany NY

Address for correspondence: Paula A Pennell, MPH, Laboratory Response Network, NYS Department of Health, Wadsworth Center, PO Box 22002, 120 New Scotland Avenue, Albany, NY 12201. (518) 457-9795, (518) 473-1326 (fax). pap04{at}health.state.ny.us.

Lynn E Brennan
1. is project aide, Wadsworth Center Laboratory Response Network, New York State Department of Health, Albany NY
Robert L Burhans
1. is director, Office of Health Emergency Preparedness, New York State Department of Health, Albany NY
Stephanie E Ostrowski, PhD
1. is coordinator, Wadsworth Center Laboratory Response Network, New York State Department of Health, Albany NY
NYS DOH Drill Development Team

Extract

The 2006-2007 New York State (NYS) Hospital Laboratory Drill Series was implemented in order to test notification, referral and packaging and shipping (P&S) procedures at acute care hospital facilities (statewide, excluding New York City) that submit suspect bioterrorism (BT), chemical terrorism (CT), and/or pandemic influenza (Pan Flu) clinical specimens to the NYS Department of Health (DOH) Wadsworth Center for confirmatory testing. Results showed that 97% and 84% of hospital facilities had the ability to directly access the notification network and retrieve drill guidance, respectively. Most hospital laboratories (92%) demonstrated the ability to refer specimens to the Wadsworth Center laboratory. Evaluation of specimen submissions found that 68% of BT packages, 27% of Pan Flu packages, and 20% of CT packages arrived to the laboratory with no P&S deficiencies. It can be concluded that acute care hospital facilities in NYS are more prepared to refer and submit clinical specimens during a BT public health emergency than during a Pan Flu or CT emergency event.

During times of public health emergency, the clinical laboratory has often been regarded as a first responder.^1-3 As a sentinel facility, the clinical laboratory must be prepared to provide rapid analysis of specimens for patient diagnosis. If a laboratory is unable to perform testing, then it must have both appropriately trained personnel and access to protocols for the collection, packaging, shipping, and referral of specimens, in accordance with submission guidelines, to a state or federal facility that can perform the confirmatory testing.^3-5 Ensuring that protocols are in place…

ABBREVIATIONS: AAR = after action report; ASCP = American Society for Clinical Pathology; BT = bioterrorism; CDC = Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; CT = chemical terrorism; DOH = Department of Health; DOT = Department of Transportation; HAN = Health Alert Network; HEPP = Health Emergency Preparedness Program; HHS = Health and Human Services; HPN = Heath Provider Network; IATA = International Air Transport Authority; JCAHO = Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organization; LRN = Laboratory Response Network; NYC = New York City; NYS = New York State; P&S = packaging and shipping; Pan Flu = pandemic influenza; RRC = Regional Resource Center.