Quality Assurance
Training
The Training Office serves as a liaison between local, State and Federal agencies. The training program utilizes guidance from agencies such as The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL) and the Indiana Occupational Safety and Health Administration (IOSHA) to develop interactive training programs to increase health awareness through out the state of Indiana. Information and training is provided to physicians, Hospitals, sentinel laboratories and First Responders through workshops, exercises, onsite visits, and laboratory updates. New Pandemic Influenza training will be available soon as an online course through the Learning Management System. Educational materials on laboratory preparedness for public health emergencies are currently available through the website http://www.in.gov/isdh/17855.htm.
Continuing Education for Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) Laboratory Staff and the Indiana Health Care community
Quality Improvement measures are coordinated by the Training Department through internal proficiency testing and other continued educational services in order to maintain efficient levels of Quality Assurance. In a continued effort to provide high quality services to the Public Health Management of Indiana, the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) has offered training services activities for the laboratory's analyst and other support staff for over 90 years. Moreover, the ISDH laboratory has continued to provide laboratory services in support of County Health Departments, TB Control, Dairy and Environmental Monitoring, Epidemiology surveillance and all Hazards Emergency Response and Preparedness.
In addition to these long-standing responsibilities, ISDH is faced with the dual challenge of testing for emerging infectious diseases like novel strains of influenza and West Nile Virus as well as potential agents of Bioterrorism and Chemical Terrorism. New technologies are constantly being implemented by the Public Health Laboratory, which necessitates continual education and training of personnel.
Activities
Safety Training for Laboratory Personnel
The Public Health Laboratory is a Biosafety Level 3 facility and is capable of facilitating testing in Biological and Chemical Terrorism. The Training Office sponsors a significant laboratory safety training effort in tandem with the laboratory safety committee to ensure the security of the Public Health Laboratory and the safety of all laboratory personnel.
Shipping Infectious Substances
Only trained personnel may package and ship infectious substances. IATA regulations require recurrent training every 24 months and DOT regulations require recurrent training every 36 months. Shipping regulations change on an annual basis, and it is the shipper's responsibility to be knowledgeable about current regulations.
Please contact the Training Office if you are interested in shipping training.
Sentinel Laboratory and First Responder Training
The Public Health Laboratory Training Department provides training in conjunction with the CDC's Emergency Preparedness program by working with sentinel lab planning and response personnel and with first responders to develop and enhance operational plans and protocols to improve the Indiana State Laboratory's ability to provide an emergency response to critical chemical and biological hazards which effect the public health, environment and food supply.
