VIROLOGY SURVEILLANCE
n The ability to analyse surveillance sample results alongside patient history.
n Close association with NHSE and UKHSA.
The future
Although a number of laboratories and pathology networks have already joined the RCGP RSC, in order to achieve the benefits that have been described, more laboratories are needed to participate and agree to be involved in the LabLinks workflow.
The positive is that the mechanism used by LabLinks does not require the enablement of new software or applications – it is simply additional configuration to functionality which already exists. This configuration has already been enabled across a number of sites and flavours of LIMS and many of the challenges already resolved. One of the major concerns is invariably the potential to receive high volumes of additional samples that will stretch already limited resources. The reality is the volume of samples being submitted per practice per week is generally in single figures. The volume of RSC practices per laboratory is generally around a quarter of a laboratory’s catchment area. A participating laboratory will agree a Service Level Agreement that will detail the services being offered, the practices participating and the renumeration per sample agreed. The goal of this is to ensure a laboratory at no stage feels the processing of surveillance samples is to the detriment of the core services it offers.
Routine patient data from participating RSC practices
Virology swap and serology sample results
ORCHID data hub
RCGP weekly and annual disease reports
UKHSA disease surveillance
Research output Fig 4. ORCHID data hub.
Bernie Croal, President of The Royal College of Pathologists, commented: “Events of recent years have shown that a robust population health surveillance infrastructure is essential in order to provide the early warning needed to prepare for any situation. The RCGP RSC and UKHSA have shown that they can help to provide this. The involvement of local NHS laboratories and pathology networks can only enhance this capability. By utilising existing infrastructure and accommodating the surveillance capability within that, the flexibility, responsiveness and efficiency of surveillance can only improve. The additional benefit of sharing the weekly reports and findings, potentially on a regional basis, can only help a laboratory or network to plan in the most effective ways. I watch with interest as the expansion of the LabLinks network develops.”
Conclusions We believe that the importance of an effective mechanism of population
surveillance for bodies such as the UKHSA is recognised by everyone and one of the ways to ensure the best possible findings are generated is to ensure there is a strong volume of samples and data available to analyse. By embedding the surveillance workflow within the standard GP/laboratory workflow, we have the best opportunity to achieve this. If you and your laboratory are interested to learn more, please get in touch.
Dominic Dunn is the Project Manager for LabLinks. He has been involved in pathology IT for the last 25 years working for a range of commercial suppliers, all of which had the pathology laboratory at the core of their activity. He has spent the last two years working for the University of Oxford as part of Professor Simon de Lusignan’s team supporting the research and surveillance programme.
Dominic.Dunn@phc.ox.ac.uk www.rcgp.org.uk/representing-you/
research-at-rcgp/research-surveillance- centre
https://orchid.phc.ox.ac.uk/
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