Projects
NAHLN INFRASTRUCTURE SUPPORT FOR OHIO ANIMAL DISEASE DIAGNOSTIC LAB
Topic: African Swine Fever
Summary
Non Technical Summary
As a member of the National Animal Health Laboratory Network, the Ohio Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory(ADDL) supports the USDA by providing early detection, rapid response, and recovery from high consequence animal diseases. The financial resources provided to the Ohio ADDL as a Level 1 NAHLN laboratory will provide essential support for enhancedanimal disease testing capabilities and capacity, support for the quality assurance program that drives continuous improvementof the laboratory, and connectivity between state and federal partners for collaboration and disease reporting. The ADDL willmaintain full accreditation by AAVLD and will provide NAHLN with documentation of such. Electronic HL7 messaging and ITinfrastructure will also be supported by this cooperative agreement, necessary for management and sharing of laboratory data.As a member of NAHLN, the Ohio ADDL defends American agriculture and ensures food safety and food security for allAmericans. Ohio will support surrounding states for NAHLN-related disease testing. Education of animal health and pathologystaff regarding utilization of NVSL support for unusual morbidity and/or mortality events (UME) will occur.
Objectives & Deliverables
Goals / Objectives
The Ohio Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (ADDL) is committed to fulfilling the responsibilities of a Level 1 laboratoryas described in the 2024Agreement for Participation in the USDA National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN). TheADDL will increase or maintain capabilities and capacity to respond to an adverse animal health event such as an emerging diseasedetection or foreign animal disease outbreak. The ADDL will utilize proficiency tested technical staff to rapidly accept and testsamples in support of foreign animal disease investigations and outbreaks. Specific goals and objectives: 1. Support ITpersonnel – maintain the laboratory information management system and provide training opportunities; 2. Support a qualitysystem – maintain AAVLD and ISO17025 accreditations and attend quality management training; 3. Support laboratory andadministrative personnel – travel to meetings related to activity for the NAHLN, assist other laboratories during emergencies,utilize the APHIS laboratory portal; 4. Purchase equipment that directly increases laboratory testing capacity – replacing agingequipment to improve capability and efficiency; 5. Electronic messaging enhancement – maintain and enhance electronicmessaging for disease reporting and adhere to HL7 requirements; 6. Support APHIS- and NAHLN-related activities in theestablishment of technical aspects of emerging disease detection and reporting protocols.
Challenges
Project Methods
The Ohio ADDL will purchase equipment that directly increases laboratory testing capacity. This includes barcode printers thatwill increase efficiency and accuracy in all lab areas. We have bar code readers and printers in some lab sections and want toincrease the use of these tools to create efficiency and to enhance messaging of lab results to LMS system. Agingscanners need replaced. Desktop and laptop computers will be purchased to increase work efficiency by replacing agedcomputer systems. Computer replacements will allow for software upgrades and will enable compatibility with equipment andUSALIMS. An environmental monitoring system will be implemented to monitor temperature and other environmental conditionsfor refrigerators, freezers, lab spaces, incubators, etc. Travel in support of NAHLN- and APHIS-related activities will be provided.The ADDL has participated in USDA NAHLN activities since its inception. Staff members actively participate in several NAHLNworkgroups, committees and trainings which are critical to foreign animal disease preparedness and to ensuring ongoingcompetency. The Laboratory Operations Manager, along with several Section Heads have held leadership roles in severalNAHLN related committees such as AAVLD Accreditation Committee, NAHLN Exercise and Drill Working Group, USDA/FDAAntimicrobial Working Group, and AAVLD Audit Pool. The lab also participates in USALIMS IT meetings and trainings. Travelsupport for quality management training will also be supported. Service agreements will support equipment and instrumentcalibrations required by AAVLD, NAHLN and ISO 17025 accreditation standards. Electronic messaging enhancements willcontinue, including renewal of a contract with LIMS experts to maintain LIMS and adhere to HL7 requirements.
Principle Investigator(s)
Planned Completion date: 31/07/2025
Effort: $250,000.00
Project Status
COMPLETE
Principal Investigator(s)
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Researcher Organisations
Recipient Organization DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE OHIO 8995 E MAIN ST REYNOLDSBURG,OH 43068-3398
United Kingdom