Key Findings
- 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
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.
- 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.
- Laboratory measures are a health sector decision.
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