Laboratory Training Info from NLTN Library

Information from the HELID website:

The 2007 revised edition of HELID has been updated with new publications or technical documents, produced by PAHO and WHO in the last three years, in the fields of emergencies and disasters. In whole, it includes more than 650 publications or technical documents, in English, Spanish, and French, on a variety of health subjects related to the preparedness and response to emergencies and disasters, as well as disaster prevention and mitigation.

Most of the previous selections remain in the new collection, which were the result of a long consultation and exchange process. The WHO and PAHO programs for emergencies and disasters led the process, with the participation of United Nations agencies such as UNHCR, UNICEF and ISDR; the Red Cross movement through IFRC and ICRC; the Sphere Project; and with non governmental and national agencies such as the National Emergency Commission of Costa Rica. The result is a long list of documents with the most important titles these organizations have published in the field of emergencies and disasters.

Included in the collection are technical guidelines, field guides, case studies, content of emergency kits, manuals, disaster chronicles, and other training materials. To make consultation easier, we have used the following thematic classification:

Public Health Management; Principles and Guidelines
Emergency Preparedness and Response
Disaster Mitigation
Human Rights and Humanitarian Law
Refugees and Internally Displaced Population Health
Environmental Health and Chemicals
Communicable Diseases
Parasitic and Vector Borne Diseases
Food and Nutrition
Reproductive Health, Child Health and Immunization
Mental Health
Essential Medicines and Management of Supplies
Management of War-wounded and Injuries
Safe Blood and Laboratories Services
HIV (AIDS)
Safe Hospitals
An important annex is the complete collection (in English and Spanish) of Disasters: Preparedness and Mitigation in the Americas, a quarterly newsletter published since 1979 by PAHO/WHO, and Health in Emergencies, a newsletter published by WHO’s Health Action in Crises.

All documents are in HTML (Hyper Text Mark-up Language) or PDF (Portable Document) formats.

Document search can by done by pre-selected main subjects (see under “Subjects”), by specific special descriptors, by title words, by words in any part of the document, or by publishing agency.

Websites for information on the US Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA):

This US Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) website includes instructions on how to apply for a CLIA certificate, CLIA regulations and Federal Register documents, categorization of tests under CLIA, fee schedule, state survey agencies, CMS regional offices, list of accrediting organizations, list of exempt states, list of states/territories with laboratory licensure programs, list of proficiency testing (PT) providers and more.

This CDC website includes online copies of the CLIA regulations and related Federal Register publications, Test Complexities, Approved Proficiency Testing Programs, and Health Care Finance Administration(HCFA) and Food and Drug (FDA) Resources.

The FDA Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH) also has a website with CLIA information.

Nucleic acid amplification tests are increasingly performed in clinical and public health laboratories in the investigation of infectious disease. They are also used extensively in the Laboratory Response Network to detect agents of bioterrorism. The 2003 revisions to the CLIA regulations included requirements for the establishment and verification of performance specifications for molecular assays. This intermediate-level program will provide the learner with information on infectious disease molecular assay verification procedures and processes. The program begins by listing and defining the CLIA requirements, and continues by providing guidance and suggestions on how to comply. The program describes how one laboratory team established the performance specifications for an in-house developed assay and verified the manufacturer’s performance specifications for an FDA-cleared assay. It concludes with suggestions on how to report results from in-house developed assays that use analyte specific reagents (ASRs). Exceptions to the CLIA requirements that may apply to public health laboratories during public health emergencies will be outlined. The program is delivered using a documentary style. Learners will hear from experts in the field of molecular diagnostics who will answer the difficult questions that many laboratory scientists have about verifying molecular assays. Learners may test their comprehension and competency by completing a post test.

An online resource for malaria, in English, French or Spanish, including information on diagnosis, prophylaxis, treatment, and history, as well as case presentations, and a self-test module, presented by the Royal Perth Hospital, in Western Australia.

BD Biosciences offers a free web-based course on flow cytometry.

The course covers basic concepts of flow cytometry, with modules on fluidics, optics, electronics, optical measurement, sorting, applications, instruments and software. Please note that the use of trade, firm, or corporation names is for the information and convenience of the student. Such use does not constitute an official endorsement or approval by the NLTN, CDC, or APHL of any product or service to the exclusion of others that may be suitable.

After an introductory review, three cases are presented for differential count and diagnosis. Start by selecting from the pull-down menu in the upper right corner.

This material for identification of disease vectors is available online in PDF format from the CDC’s Environmental Health Services.

Two online learning modules are available: Module one is “Gaining Efficiencies in Laboratory Workflow.” This presentation focuses on the procedures involved with nucleic acid amplification testing (NAAT) in an infectious disease testing laboratory (microbiology). The goal of the presentation is to examine and review the procedures involved with producing a NAAT test, from sample collection through archiving patient results. Evaluating procedures beyond performing the assay can be beneficial in identifying new areas to improve laboratory performance and turnaround time. In particular, areas in which laboratory automation could be considered for improving laboratory workflow and efficiency are discussed.

Module two is “Managing Various Sample Types.” This educational module is the second in a series on clinical testing for CT and GC with NAATs. The goal of this second module is to review the different sample types that can be used with NAATs with a particular focus on the use of urine samples and novel sample types such as vaginal swabs and liquid PAP transport (LPT) samples. Understanding the importance of specimen quality and the differences in sample collection, transportation, handling and associated problems can be key to increasing laboratory efficiency and assuring the highest quality testing results.

Continuing education credits (CEUs) are available through the publisher.

This video for healthcare professionals provides basic instruction on preparing and examining vaginal wet preps and presents remarkable through-the-microscope footage of trichomonads, yeast, and clue cells.

The National Network of STD/HIV Prevention Training Centers also has an extensive list of training resources, including continuing education opportunities, clinical practices references, and teaching tools/curricula.

This reference guide provides access to clinically relevant information and specialized educational resources for practicing physicians in several major areas of increasing importance and growing concern among those responsible for protecting public health and water safety, including basics of water safety and protection, evaluation and management of disease resulting from waterborne pathogens, evaluation and management of disease resulting from chemical contaminants, and evaluation and management of water-related disease in susceptible populations and risk communication. CME credit is available through the publisher beginning in August 2008.

A module on “Physician Preparedness for Acts of Water Terrorism” is also available.