Laboratories

This online course discusses ethics and personal integrity and illustrates how these traits apply to technical staff in a public health or other laboratory. Examples of general workplace ethics are provided. Many of the ways that data integrity can be affected by technical staff are explained, from recognizing when sample integrity has been compromised to documenting errors, handling calibration and quality control issues, and changing or correcting results. Examples are given to show how improper practices and the failure to maintain data integrity can lead to fraud. One section of the course is dedicated to improper laboratory practices and how they can be avoided. Patient confidentiality, temperature records, altering SOPs, improper labeling, and failure to document are among the topics covered in this section. Another area focuses on issues of peak integration. The course ends with an in-depth look at chain-of-custody protocols as they apply to both clinical and environmental laboratories.. 

Intended Audience

This course is directed to technical staff at all levels in public health and other laboratories

Learning Objectives:

After completion of this course, the participant will be able to:

• Define the terms commonly associated with ethics, data integrity, fraud and Chain of Custody
• Recognize staff’s responsibility to conduct themselves ethically in the workplace
• Describe the role of technical staff in maintaining data integrity
• Describe and list examples of imposter practices
• Explain the relationship of improper practices to fraud
• Recognize the consequences of fraud
• State the responsibilities of management and staff in preventing fraud
• List actions that can affect sample integrity
• Describe the Chain of Custody process for laboratory samples

Pre-requisites/Learning Level

No pre-requisites

Competencies addressed

Leadership and Systems Thinking Skills, communication Skills

CEUs Offered

None

Cost

Free

Modality/format

Online Self-Pace

Length

1 hour

Presenter(s) and/or Content Experts

Marcia Valbracht BS, MHA

Technical requirements:

• Adobe Acrobat Reader 
• Speakers

Registration requirements

Register a free account

Creation and/or update

January 3, 2015

There are several sections in this course:

1. Biosecurity and Biosafety
2. Risk Assessments and the AMP Model
3. AMP: Assessment
4. AMP: Mitigation
5. AMP: Performance
6. Developing a Biosecurity Plan
7. Quiz

This course includes several interactions designed to underscore concepts discussed in the course, two downloadable risk assessment templates and laboratory guidance from APHL on specimen storage.

Intended Audience

This course is for clinical laboratorians who want to improve their knowledge of biosecurity practices that protect against unauthorized access, loss, theft, misuse, diversion or intentional release of dangerous biological materials.

Learning Objectives

At the end of the training module, you will be able to:

• Describe the relationship between biosafety and biosecurity
• List outcomes of a successful biosecurity risk assessment
• Identify types of controls used to manage biosecurity risk
• Perform a biosecurity assessment
• Develop a biosecurity plan

Pre-requisites/Learning Level

No prerequisites

Competencies addressed

N/A

CEUs Offered

TBD

Cost

Free

Modality/Format

Online self-pace

Length

30 minutes

Presenter(s) and/or Content Experts

Dr. Michael Pentella; Wanda Reiter Kintz, Ph.D.; Drew C. Fayram, MS

Technical requirements

1. Adobe Acrobat Reader (free download)
2. Speakers or headphones

Registration Requirements

Register a free account

Creation and/or update

Released February 2018

There are several sections in this course:

1. Biosecurity and Biosafety
2. Risk Assessments and the AMP Model
3. AMP: Assessment
4. AMP: Mitigation
5. AMP: Performance
6. Developing a Biosecurity Plan
7. Quiz

This course includes several interactions designed to underscore concepts discussed in the course, two downloadable risk assessment templates and laboratory guidance from APHL on specimen storage.

Intended Audience

This course is for clinical laboratorians who want to improve their knowledge of biosecurity practices that protect against unauthorized access, loss, theft, misuse, diversion or intentional release of dangerous biological materials.

Learning Objectives

At the end of the training module, you will be able to:

• Describe the relationship between biosafety and biosecurity
• List outcomes of a successful biosecurity risk assessment
• Identify types of controls used to manage biosecurity risk
• Perform a biosecurity assessment
• Develop a biosecurity plan

Pre-requisites/Learning Level

No prerequisites

Competencies addressed

N/A

CEUs Offered

TBD

Cost

Free

Modality/Format

Online self-pace

Length

30 minutes

Presenter(s) and/or Content Experts

Dr. Michael Pentella; Wanda Reiter Kintz, Ph.D.; Drew C. Fayram, MS

Technical requirements

1. Adobe Acrobat Reader (free download)
2. Speakers or headphones

Registration Requirements

Register a free account

Creation and/or update

Released February 2018

This online course discusses ethics and personal integrity and illustrates how these traits apply to technical staff in a public health or other laboratory. Examples of general workplace ethics are provided. Many of the ways that data integrity can be affected by technical staff are explained, from recognizing when sample integrity has been compromised to documenting errors, handling calibration and quality control issues, and changing or correcting results. Examples are given to show how improper practices and the failure to maintain data integrity can lead to fraud. One section of the course is dedicated to improper laboratory practices and how they can be avoided. Patient confidentiality, temperature records, altering SOPs, improper labeling, and failure to document are among the topics covered in this section. Another area focuses on issues of peak integration. The course ends with an in-depth look at chain-of-custody protocols as they apply to both clinical and environmental laboratories.. 

Intended Audience

This course is directed to technical staff at all levels in public health and other laboratories

Learning Objectives:

After completion of this course, the participant will be able to:

• Define the terms commonly associated with ethics, data integrity, fraud and Chain of Custody
• Recognize staff’s responsibility to conduct themselves ethically in the workplace
• Describe the role of technical staff in maintaining data integrity
• Describe and list examples of imposter practices
• Explain the relationship of improper practices to fraud
• Recognize the consequences of fraud
• State the responsibilities of management and staff in preventing fraud
• List actions that can affect sample integrity
• Describe the Chain of Custody process for laboratory samples

Pre-requisites/Learning Level

No pre-requisites

Competencies addressed

Leadership and Systems Thinking Skills, communication Skills

CEUs Offered

None

Cost

Free

Modality/format

Online Self-Pace

Length

1 hour

Presenter(s) and/or Content Experts

Marcia Valbracht BS, MHA

Technical requirements:

• Adobe Acrobat Reader 
• Speakers

Registration requirements

Register a free account

Creation and/or update

January 3, 2015

There are several sections in this course:

1. Biosecurity and Biosafety
2. Risk Assessments and the AMP Model
3. AMP: Assessment
4. AMP: Mitigation
5. AMP: Performance
6. Developing a Biosecurity Plan
7. Quiz

This course includes several interactions designed to underscore concepts discussed in the course, two downloadable risk assessment templates and laboratory guidance from APHL on specimen storage.

Intended Audience

This course is for clinical laboratorians who want to improve their knowledge of biosecurity practices that protect against unauthorized access, loss, theft, misuse, diversion or intentional release of dangerous biological materials.

Learning Objectives

At the end of the training module, you will be able to:

• Describe the relationship between biosafety and biosecurity
• List outcomes of a successful biosecurity risk assessment
• Identify types of controls used to manage biosecurity risk
• Perform a biosecurity assessment
• Develop a biosecurity plan

Pre-requisites/Learning Level

No prerequisites

Competencies addressed

N/A

CEUs Offered

TBD

Cost

Free

Modality/Format

Online self-pace

Length

30 minutes

Presenter(s) and/or Content Experts

Dr. Michael Pentella; Wanda Reiter Kintz, Ph.D.; Drew C. Fayram, MS

Technical requirements

1. Adobe Acrobat Reader (free download)
2. Flash Player (free download)

Registration Requirements

Register a free account

Creation and/or update

Released February 2018

Intended Audience

All laboratory staff who are involved in budgeting.

Learning Objectives

After completion of this course, the participant will be able to:

• Define and explain relevant resource management terms and concepts.
• Outline relevant resource management processes as applied to a department in a public health laboratory.
• Explain how resources are managed and monitored in a public health laboratory.

Pre-requisites/Learning Level

No Pre-requisites

Competencies Addressed

• MLD 3.00. Financial management: ensures sound financial management 
• MLD 3.01. Budgets: Complies with budgetary guidelines 
• MLD 3.02. Revenue and income:  Describes revenue sources associated with individual activities           
• MLD 3.04. Financial management process: Uses designated financial management tools 
• MLD 3.05. Resource management: Uses workplace resources efficiently
  

Budgeting and fiscal management are challenges to all laboratory supervisors, both new and not so new. Gone are the days when the laboratory received a significant amount of its funding from a single source. Today, government laboratories have numerous funding streams, including appropriated state or local revenue, direct federal funding, indirect federal funding (through other departmental grant recipients), fees or other earned income and third party reimbursement such as Medicaid. The fiscal management of a public health laboratory is not only more complex than in days past, but with increased focus on public accountability it is also subject to greater scrutiny.

Too often the financial aspects of the laboratory business can intimidate managers who have a scientific background. However, managers must understand and participate in cost accounting and budgeting. In addition, they must understand the principles of financial accounting and financial analysis in order to gauge performance, because “what gets measured gets managed.” Among the highest priorities for public health laboratory staff is to review the current budget to determine how much money is available for laboratory operations, where the money is being spent (budgeted) and where it comes from (revenue streams).

Intended Audience

All laboratory staff who are involved in budgeting.

Learning Objectives

After completion of this course, the participant will be able to:

• Define budget terminology relevant to operations of a public health laboratory.
• Describe concepts used in the creation and management of a public health laboratory budget.
• Describe the budget creation and approval process used in a public health laboratory.
• Explain how expenditures and income are monitored in a public health laboratory

Pre-requisites/Learning Level

No Pre-requisites

Competencies Addressed

• MLD 3.00. Financial management: ensures sound financial management
• MLD 3.01. Budgets: Complies with budgetary guidelines
• MLD 3.02. Revenue and income: Describes revenue sources associated with individual activities
• MLD 3.04. Financial management process: Uses designated financial management tools
• MLD 3.05. Resource management: Uses workplace resources efficiently

CEUs Offered

None

Cost

Free

Modality/format

Online self-pace

Length

1 hour

Presenter(s) and/or Content Expert

APHL Emerging Leader Program Cohort 9 members

There are several sections in this course:

1. Biosecurity and Biosafety
2. Risk Assessments and the AMP Model
3. AMP: Assessment
4. AMP: Mitigation
5. AMP: Performance
6. Developing a Biosecurity Plan
7. Quiz

This course includes several interactions designed to underscore concepts discussed in the course, two downloadable risk assessment templates and laboratory guidance from APHL on specimen storage.

Intended Audience

This course is for clinical laboratorians who want to improve their knowledge of biosecurity practices that protect against unauthorized access, loss, theft, misuse, diversion or intentional release of dangerous biological materials.

Learning Objectives

At the end of the training module, you will be able to:

• Describe the relationship between biosafety and biosecurity
• List outcomes of a successful biosecurity risk assessment
• Identify types of controls used to manage biosecurity risk
• Perform a biosecurity assessment
• Develop a biosecurity plan

Pre-requisites/Learning Level

No prerequisites

Competencies addressed

N/A

CEUs Offered

TBD

Cost

Free

Modality/Format

Online self-pace

Length

30 minutes

Presenter(s) and/or Content Experts

Dr. Michael Pentella; Wanda Reiter Kintz, Ph.D.; Drew C. Fayram, MS

Technical requirements

1. Adobe Acrobat Reader (free download)
2. Flash Player (free download)

Registration Requirements

Register a free account

Creation and/or update

Released February 2018

Course Summary

This online course introduces the topic of measurement uncertainty and defines the basic terms of measurement. The reason that all measurements contain some level of doubt is explained and illustrated. A distinction is made between random and systematic error and examples are given. The importance of understanding measurement uncertainty in a laboratory setting is stated and examples are provided of situations in which the laboratorian will need this knowledge. The mathematical functions used in calculating standard deviation are demonstrated and the role of standard deviation in determining measurement uncertainty is explained. Finally, the user is taken, step by step, through the calculations necessary to determine the uncertainty of a laboratory sample, using an example from an environmental chemistry laboratory.

Throughout the course, graphics, photographs and narration are employed to provide the user with an interesting and informative experience. Additionally, the course includes printable training aids and an interactive section to engage the user and also reinforce the lessons. This course provides a basis for those new to the subject of measurement uncertainty and a refresher for laboratorians who would like to review the basics.

Intended Audience

All laboratory staff who perform testing that requires the determination of measurement uncertainty or standard deviation

Learning Objectives

After completion of this course, the participant will be able to:

• Identify measurement as a comparison with some known standard.
• Define terms commonly used to express measurement in laboratory settings.
• Discuss the difference between precision and accuracy in measurement.
• Estimate the precision of a measurement by computing a standard deviation.
• Describe key tools or methods used to evaluate or estimate uncertainty.
• Identify benefits of proficiency in calculating measurement uncertainty.

Pre-requisites/Learning Level

Competencies addressed

CEUs Offered

None

Cost

Free

Modality/format

Online Self-Pace

Length

1 hour

Presenter(s) and/or Content Expert

Marcia Valbracht, BS, MHA

Technical requirements

• Adobe Acrobat Reader 
• Flash Player 
• Speakers

Registration requirements

Register a free account

Creation and/or update

July 9, 2014

There are four sections in this course:

• Section 1: Background
• Section 2: BSLs and Use of Equipment for Your Safety
• Section 3: Pathogens of Risk
• Section 4: Building Safety into Laboratory Practice

There are review questions at the end of each section. These review questions will provide you with an opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills presented in these sections. There is a post-test at the end of the course. 

A Certificate of Completion is awarded on successful completion of this course. 

Intended Audience

laboratorians who handle biological and microbiological samples in clinical, reference, public health, animal, research or teaching laboratories

Learning Objectives:

Upon completion of this part, you will be able to:

• Understand the dangers posed by working with pathogens commonly encountered in the laboratory and recognize how the consistent use of safe work practices can protect you from them
• Differentiate between the four biosafety levels in laboratories and know when each is used
• Explain how a biosafety cabinet (BSC) works, know how to use it properly and recognize when it is required for safety
• Identify several dangerous pathogens that have contributed to laboratory-acquired infections and recognize the “trigger points” for safe-handling which are associated with each one
• Define the responsibilities of management in creating a safe laboratory environment

Pre-requisites/Learning Level

HAZMAT Awareness for Healthcare Providers

Competencies addressed

Core Competencies for Public Health Professionals

Domain 1: Analytical/Assessment Skills

• 1A4. Uses information technology in accessing, collecting, analyzing, using, maintaining, and disseminating data and information
• 1A5. Selects valid and reliable data
• 1A6. Selects comparable data (e.g., data being age-adjusted to the same year, data variables across datasets having similar definitions)
• 1A8. Collects valid and reliable quantitative and qualitative data
• 1A14. Describes how evidence (e.g., data, findings reported in peer-reviewed literature) is used in decision making

CEUs Offered

None

Cost

Free

Modality/format

Online Self-Pace

Length

1 hour

Presenter(s) and/or Content Experts

Technical requirements:

• Adobe Acrobat Reader 
• Flash Player 
• Speakers

Registration requirements

Register a free account

Creation and/or update

July 19, 2013

The course consists of a Virtual Bioterrorism Workshop. In this interactive workshop you will determine whether to rule out or refer several organisms that are considered potential agents of bioterrorism by applying Laboratory Response Network protocols for Level A (sentinel) laboratories. When a possible agent of bioterrorism cannot be ruled out, you will view a video describing the clinical presentation and etiology of the agent.

Intended Audience

Laboratorians who handle biological and microbiological samples in clinical, reference, public health, animal, research or teaching laboratories.

Learning Objectives

After completing this course, you will be able to:

1. Rule out or refer organisms using approved Laboratory Response Network protocols for Level A (sentinel) laboratories.
2. Select the appropriate tests to use in determining whether to rule out or refer an organism.
3. Describe the notification processes if a presented organism cannot be ruled out as a potential agent of bioterrorism.
4. Describe the etiology and clinical presentation of the organisms reviewed.

Pre-requisites/Learning Level

No pre-requisites

Competencies addressed

Core Competencies for Public Health Professionals

Domain 1: Analytical/Assessment Skills

• 1A3. Applies ethical principles in accessing, collecting, analyzing, using, maintaining, and disseminating data and information
• 1A5. Selects valid and reliable data
• 1A6. Selects comparable data (e.g., data being age-adjusted to the same year, data variables across datasets having similar definitions)
• 1A8. Collects valid and reliable quantitative and qualitative data
• 1A9. Describes public health applications of quantitative and qualitative data
• 1A14. Describes how evidence (e.g., data, findings reported in peer-reviewed literature) is used in decision making 

CEUs Offered

None

Cost

Free

Modality/format

Online Self-Pace

Length

1.5 hours

Presenter(s) and/or Content Experts

Dr. Mike Pentella, PhD

Technical requirements

• Adobe Acrobat Reader 
• Flash Player 
• Speakers

Registration requirements

Register a free account

Creation and/or update

July 19, 2013

Level: Awareness Goal/Intended Audience This course is intended for individuals who work in a Sentinel Laboratory. Bioterrorism Competencies 461.03t-Identify role in plan 461.08t-Identify limits and key resources 462.01t-Identify agents 462.02t-Collect patient data 463.08t-Specify safety measures 463.10t-Ensure laboratory capacity 463.11t-Ensure lab bioterrorism plans 463.12t-Identify Level A labs 463.13t-Maintain info on B and C labs 463.14t-Establish written lab policies 463.15t-Define lab communication plans 463.16t-Establish LRN protocols 463.17t-Maintain agent protocols 463.18t-Maintain lab training Course ContentThere are five modules in this course:

• Module 1: The National Laboratory Response Network
• Module 2: Basic and Advanced Sentinel Laboratories
• Module 3: Roleof Public Health Labs in Emergency Repsonse
• Module 4: Role of Sentinel Laboratories in a Bioterrorism Event
• Module 5: Role of Sentinel Laboratories in a Chemical Event

Modules 1 through 3 contain "pop quizzes" to assist you in understanding and assimilating the information. Module 4 and 5 contains scenario exercises to enable you to apply what you have learned to situations that may occur during a bioterrorism or chemical event. Course ObjectivesAfter completing this course, you will be able to:

1. Understand the Laboratory Response Network (LRN) architecture.
2. Describe and define a Sentinel Laboratory
3. Understand the roles of basic and advanced Sentinel Laboratories in an emergency response
4. Identify and understand the use of available resources and reference materials relevant to Sentinel Laboratories during emergency response.

The "JIT" training is divided into two components: a digital story of an E.coli O157:H7 outbreak and the training session which is broken into six sections. :

• Section 1: CDC’s Recommendations
• Section 2: Available Methods – Toxin Testing and Culture
• Section 3: Reporting Toxin and Culture Results
• Section 4: Submission of Isolates to the Public Health Laboratory
• Section 5: Iowa-Specific Recommendations/Iowa Administrative Code
• Section 6: Checklists

By following the steps leading from initial food ingestion, to an epidemiological investigation and the final identification of the contaminated food, you will learn the importance of making timely and appropriate decisions for submissions to the state public health laboratory. 

The course also offers a training section and a checklist for the detection, isolation and submission of STECs. When you have completed the course, you will be able to print a certificate suitable for your competency training records. 

Intended Audience

General

Learning Objectives:

Upon completion of this part, you will be able to:

• Recognize the overall community and public health significance of an enteric pathogen from just one patient
• Understand the process and timeline of a foodborne outbreak
• Describe the role of sentinel labs in preventing the spread of illness caused by contaminated food

Pre-requisites/Learning Level

HAZMAT Awareness for Healthcare Providers

Competencies addressed

Core Competencies for Public Health Professionals

Analytical/Assessment Skills, Communication Skills, Public Health Sciences Skills, Community Dimensions of Practice Skills, Leadership and Systems Thinking Skills

CEUs Offered

None

Cost

Free

Modality/format

Online Self-Pace

Length

1 hour

Presenter(s) and/or Content Experts

Dr. Michael Pentella, PhD; Mary DeMartino, BS, MT, SM; Jon DeMartino, MLT; Dena Fife, Johnathan Choate, Tim Beachy

Technical requirements:

• Adobe Acrobat Reader 
• Flash Player 
• Speakers

Registration requirements

Register a free account

Creation and/or update

July 16, 2012

Level: Technical Time: 1- 1 1/2 hours Goal/Intended Audience This course is intended for laboratorians who handle biological and microbiological samples in clinical, reference, public health, animal, research or teaching laboratories. Course Content The course consists of a Virtual Bioterrorism Workshop. In this interactive workshop you will determine whether to rule out or refer several organisms that are considered potential agents of bioterrorism by applying Laboratory Response Network protocols for Level A (sentinel) laboratories. When a possible agent of bioterrorism cannot be ruled out, you will view a video describing the clinical presentation and etiology of the agent. Prerequisite Knowledge/Experience for Taking This Course The Electronic BT Workshop is for all Sentinel Laboratorians and students. Both experienced Microbiologists and those with less experience will benefit from the workshop. Laboratorians who have spent more time in clinical Microbiology will be most likely to recognize the correct choices and will find the course easier than laboratorians who are less exlperienced in that area. This should not be a deterrent to those who are interested in broadening their knowledge about rule-out testing for potential agents of bioterrorism

This course is provided by North Carolina Center for Public Health Preparedness UNC. This course will require a separate registration with UNC. Click on the course title to launch the course. Register with UNC from the main page that opens. When you are finished, and have received a copy of your certificate from UNC, you may choose "Mark Complete" from the action menu on your Learning Plan page in your Workspace in the LMS. This presentation by Pam Jenkins, MSN, EdD, Foodborne Disease Nurse Epidemiologist at the NC Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public Health, gives the viewer an introduction to epidemiological investigations of foodborne disease outbreaks. Educational Objectives Understand the importance of investigating foodborne disease outbreaks Understand the epidemiology of foodborne disease outbreaks in the US and North Carolina Understand the steps in an outbreak investigation by working through a large Salmonella serotype Heidelberg outbreak in a NC restaurant Understand the role of epidemiologist, microbiologist, environmental health specialist during an investigation Understand the importance of interacting with the media during a foodborne disease outbreak.

Methamphetamine drug labs are a growing public health hazard in Iowa. According to the Iowa Department of Public Health, in 2003, federal, state, and local authorities seized 1,100 Iowa labs, and the number is growing every year. The chemicals involved in the synthesis of methamphetamine are highly toxic not only to the people who produce the drug but also to those who clean up the labs. In this presentation, Ed Bottei, medical director of the Iowa Statewide Poison Control Center, state medical toxicologist for the Iowa Department of Public Health, and clinical assistant professor of pulmonary and critical care medicine at The University of Iowa, will discuss methamphetamine toxicology and ways that cleanup workers can protect themselves.

The bioterrorism response team of the University Hygienic Laboratory will provide a functional guide to laboratory services in Iowa for the detection and confirmation of agents of bioterrorism.

There are five sections in this course:

• Section 1: The National Laboratory Response Network
• Section 2: Basic and Advanced Sentinel Laboratories
• Section 3: Role of Public Health Labs in Emergency Response
• Section 4: Role of Sentinel Laboratories in a Bioterrorism Event
• Section 5: Role of Sentinel Laboratories in a Chemical Event

Modules 1 through 3 contain "pop quizzes" to assist you in understanding and assimilating the information. Module 4 and 5 contains scenario exercises to enable you to apply what you have learned to situations that may occur during a bioterrorism or chemical event.

Intended Audience

Individuals who work in a Sentinel Laboratory

Learning Objectives:

After completing this course, you will be able to:

• Understand the Laboratory Response Network (LRN) architecture
• Describe and define a Sentinel Laboratory
• Understand the roles of basic and advanced Sentinel Laboratories in an emergency response
• Identify and understand the use of available resources and reference materials relevant to Sentinel Laboratories during emergency response

Pre-requisites/Learning Level

No pre-requisites

Competencies addressed

Core Competencies for Public Health Professionals identified

Domain 1: Analytical/Assessment Skills

• 1A3. Applies ethical principles in accessing, collecting, analyzing, using, maintaining, and disseminating data and information
• 1A4. Uses information technology in accessing, collecting, analyzing, using, maintaining, and disseminating data and information
• 1A8. Collects valid and reliable quantitative and qualitative data

Domain 5: Community Dimensions of Practice Skills

• 5A5. Collaborates with community partners to improve health in a community (e.g., participates in committees, shares data and information, connects people to recources)

CEUs Offered

None

Cost

Free

Modality/format

Online Self-Pace

Length

1 hour

Presenter(s) and/or Content Experts

Technical requirements:

• Adobe Acrobat Reader 
• Flash Player 
• Speakers

Registration requirements

Register a free account

Creation and/or update

July 30, 2013