TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2008//
TI  - Functional assessment of hospital laboratory packaging and shipping preparedness in New York State
JO  - Clinical laboratory science
A1  - Pennell, Paula A.
A1  - Antenucci, Alan J.
A1  - Brennan, Lynn E.
A1  - Burhans, Robert L.
A1  - Ostrowski, Stephanie E.
SP  - 199
EP  - 204
VL  - 21
IS  - 4
N2  - 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.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 0894-959X
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/
ID  - ref1
ER  -