Review of Australia’s Health Sector Response to Pandemic (H1N1) 2009: Lessons Identified

Chapter 7: Laboratory Capacity

Table of contents

Australia has a well-established and well-prepared network of diagnostic laboratories that was able to respond flexibly and quickly to support the public health response.
Public health laboratory capacity was stretched, and private laboratories played an important role in supporting the public health response.
Communicating the public health policy rationale for laboratory testing at different stages of a pandemic to front-line clinicians and laboratories could be improved.
Mechanisms to improve timely reporting of results, including of negative tests, should be considered.
Large quantities of testing reagents were used. Additional equipment to meet the surge in testing was difficult to source.

Text box 7: Laboratory capacity guidance from AHMPPI 2008

Objectives

Operational objective 1: Communicate the best available information to decision makers, health professionals and the public.
Operational objective 2: Minimise transmission.
- 2.3 - Slow the spread in the community.

Purpose

Laboratory measures as outlined in the AHMPPI have two important functions:
- a surveillance role to support early identification of novel virus and changes in the virus
- a diagnostic role to inform clinical management of cases and contacts.

Governance

This information is current for 17 May, 2012
This information was issued on October, 2011

Level of Pandemic Threat
ALERT Phase