Lab Matters Summer 2016 | Page 35

member spotlight

Assistant Director of Health Amy Fagan , MPA , and Director of Health Lou Kreidler , RN , BSN

Laboratory Senior Administrative Clerk Teresa Hornsby

In addition to this clinical work , the laboratory performs water bacteriology on about 5,000 water samples per year . The tests are done for public water utilities in eight counties — for individuals drilling wells and for individuals , mobile home parks and RV parks concerned about water quality after floods .

Other environmental testing encompasses a variety of sample matrices from soil to swabs to food . Chattin said , “ We test a lot of soft serve ice cream for restaurants around town ,” a safety measure mandated by the county . Since the health department runs the local animal shelter and animal control office , the laboratory also processes and packages the heads of animals suspected of carrying rabies . It then ships the heads to the state public health laboratory for rabies testing .

Successes

The laboratory considers every satisfied customer a success . However , two recent laboratory-supported efforts are particularly noteworthy .

Laboratory Technical Supervisor David Chattin prepares culture media to test local restaurants ice cream for harmful bacteria

• This past spring , the Wichita Falls Health District documented more than 30 possible cases of Shigella , almost twice as many as in 2015 . An epidemiological investigation backstopped by the public health laboratory pinpointed one source of the pathogenic bacterium , which is often linked to fecal matter — the sink in the boys ’ bathroom at a local elementary school . The finding , said Chattin provided “ a good educational opportunity to explain the importance of cleanliness ” to the school children . As a result of the definitive laboratory data , school administrators redoubled their efforts to assure cleaning practices meet high standards .

• A 2015 syphilis outbreak was resolved after a couple of infected individuals turned to the health department for low-cost testing . After the laboratory confirmed their disease status , health officials were able to track down the common source of infection — a male prostitute living in a local motel . “ He was treated and cured , and that stopped the outbreak right there ,” said Chattin . “ He really wasn ’ t going to come in to get tested on his own . People in that profession are wary of government programs ; they ’ re unaware of how [ federal privacy laws ] work . We ’ re completely non-judgmental . We just want to deliver the health care .”

Challenges

While additional resources would be helpful , Chattin said staffing “ is the big issue .” To interested Lab Matters readers , he says , “ Please apply [ for the open laboratory technician position ]. I ’ d like to take a vacation sometime .” He promised , “ The job is not boring .”

Goals

• To complete a successful transition to the Public Health Information Management System ( PHIMS ), which will eventually be used by all health district programs . Because the system is still under development even as the laboratory is implementing it , Chattin said , “ It ’ s one of those situations where you have to be flexible .”

• To ready the laboratory for its upcoming CLIA inspection . Chattin is in the process of reviewing standard operating procedures .

• To hire a second laboratory technician and “ get them trained up .”

In addition , Chattin said , the laboratory is always considering adding new tests to better meet client needs .