MDCH - What's New?

What's New?

New Chemical Threat Response Training Coordinator

On April 15, 2013, Teresa Miller assumed the role of the Bureau of Laboratories (BOL) Chemical Threat Response Training Coordinator. Teresa has been with the BOL for a number of years in various positions, lastly in the Quality Assurance Section. As Teresa steps into this new position, she will be contacting laboratories, local health departments, and other partners to schedule chemical exposure (threat) packaging and shipping training. Teresa can be reached at 517-241-0925 or MillerT28@michigan.gov

On-Demand training is also available through MiTRAIN at https://mi.train.org

Course title: Laboratory Response and Hospital Preparedness in a Chemical Exposure (Terrorism) Event
Course ID: 1010548

updated 4/24/2013

New CDC Submission Forms

CDC has initiated a new electronic process to submit specimens to CDC laboratories for testing.

Sending specimens

Reminder: Specimens sent to CDC for testing must be submitted through the state public health laboratories, with very rare exceptions.

CDC will require new electronic submission forms (Forms 50.34, rev. 2013) after Feb. 4, 2013. We have completed the State Public Health Laboratory portion of the forms for you on the version located on the MDCH Bureau of Laboratory web page (note, there are different forms for each specimen type: human, animal, food or other): http://www.michigan.gov/mdch/0,4612,7-132-2945_5103-14806--,00.html

The CDC Specimen Submission web page has a webinar presentation (with slides explaining how to use the features of the new form) and training documents for completing the new forms. http://www.cdc.gov/laboratory/specimen-submission/form.html
As information is entered on the forms, a barcode for use by CDC is created within the form. The completed electronic form must then be printed out and submitted along with the specimen(s) to the state public health laboratory. Older versions of this form with revision dates before 2013 (most were originally designed to print with green font) will not be accepted by CDC after Monday Feb. 4, 2013.
Please discard any paper CDC submission forms that you may have filed away in your laboratory, and please delete any Internet browser "bookmarks" to older versions of the CDC submission form (e.g., those provided during the recent fungal meningitis outbreak).

Please share this information with your laboratory send-outs staff and request they discard and delete all older versions of CDC form 50.34.

Results Reporting from CDC:

CDC will soon be sending all results by email.
All submitters wishing to receive emailed CDC results must provide a valid email address to which these encrypted CDC report files will be forwarded.
If you haven't been contacted about receiving emailed CDC results, please email CDCReports@michigan.gov
Questions regarding completion of the new CDC form or receiving of CDC results should be directed to CDCReports@michigan.gov

New Test Directory

One exciting new feature of CDC's electronic submission process will be a drop-down test directory menu. We anticipate this test directory will be very helpful in preparing the submission forms. This new directory can be found at http://www.cdc.gov/laboratory/specimen-submission/form.html

added 2/1/2013

New Laboratory Director

Dr. Sandip Shah has been selected as the new Director of the State Laboratory. Since August, Dr. Shah has filled the role as Acting Director. Dr. Shah worked as a microbiologist with the Michigan Department of Public Health in 1987 and progressed to Laboratory Scientist Manager; Director, Division of Infectious Diseases; and now Laboratory Director. He holds an Associate's Degree in Biology from the University of London; a Bachelor's Degree in Microbiology/Chemistry from Gujarat University in Ahmedabad; a Master's Degree in Microbiology/Biochemistry from Maharaja Sayajirao University in Baroda; and a Doctoral Degree from Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine in large animal clinical sciences/microbiology. Additional Certificates and Licenses include ASCP (Medical Technology from the American Society for Clinical Pathology) issued in 1982; CST 370 (PC coordinator and system specialist) issued in 2000 by PTD - Lansing Computer Institute; and HCLD (High Complexity Clinical Lab Director) issued in 2010.

updated 12/11/2012

MDCH Confirmatory Testing for Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE)

The MDCH Bureau of Laboratories has received a grant to develop non-automated AST capacity in state public health laboratories for CRE and VRSA to provide confirmatory testing for clinical laboratories within their jurisdiction. A webinar was held on December 11, 2012 to discuss the project design and the clinical laboratory role.

CRE Confirmatory Testing Criteria - added 2/1/2013
CRE Lab Flow Chart - added 2/1/2013
CRE Call Handout
CRE Call Audio

updated 2/1/2013

Multistate Outbreak of Fungal Meningitis Cases Resulting From Potentially Contaminated Steroid Injections

Fungal Meningitis Cases Resulting From Potentially Contaminated Steroid Injections- Oct 5th
MDCH-Meningitis-Updated Guidance-Oct-8-2012
MDCH Meningitis Update #3 - October 11, 2012
MDCH Meningitis Update #4 - October 11, 2012
MDCH Meningitis Update #5 - October 17, 2012
CDC Stat Specimen Submission Form

For updated information regarding this outbreak, go to http://www.cdc.gov/hai/outbreaks/meningitis.html

updated 10/17/2012

Clinical Partner's Influenza Call

The Bureau of Laboratories hosted a Clinical Partner's Influenza Conference Call on September 11, 2012. If you missed the call, check out the recording. This recording is approximately 21 minutes long.

updated 9/12/2012

First Case of Influenza A (H3N2v) Detected in Michigan

The first case of variant H3N2 influenza infection in Michigan has been reported in a Washtenaw County child. State laboratory results indicate the child has tested positive for influenza A (H3N2) variant, or H3N2v. The child, who had recent exposure to swine at the Ingham County Fair, experienced mild illness and was not hospitalized. The state laboratory results were sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for confirmatory testing.

The following guidance outlines the MDCH recommendations for influenza surveillance, reporting and testing for laboratories and will assist in characterizing the current H3N2v outbreak and virus transmissibility.

Interim Influenza Surveillance, Reporting and Testing Guidance for Laboratories

updated 8/16/2012

Laboratory Director Change

On August 12, 2012, Dr. Frances Pouch Downes stepped down as Laboratory Director for the Michigan Department of Community Health Bureau of Laboratories (BOL). Dr. Downes had been Laboratory Director for the past 13 years and with the BOL for a total of 22 years. Under her leadership, the laboratory was successful in grant funding and technology acquisition, and, more recently, improved efficiency during times of economic stress. Dr. Downes' successful strategies included 1) continuation of essential testing services, 2) seeking out creative means to offer services, and 3) excellence in all you do. Dr. Downes has joined the Michigan State University faculty training and inspiring future scientists.

Sandip Shah, Ph.D., HCLD(ABB) has been selected as Laboratory Director and Acting Bureau Administrator beginning August 13, 2012. Dr. Shah is committed to continuing the policies and legacy Dr. Dowens has instilled upon the state laboratory.

updated 09/14/2012

Blood Lead Testing Collection Videos

Filter Paper Collection Video- This video provides a step-by-step demonstration of proper specimen collection using filter paper. It can be viewed at http://youtu.be/mB7HZN3d3uE.

Capillary Draw Collection Video- This video provides a step-by-step demonstration of proper specimen collection using a capillary vacutainer. It can be viewed at http://youtu.be/_G08TOwBOko.

updated 8/24/2012

Changes in Testing Services

Saginaw County Health Department laboratory receives contract from MDCH to provide Chlamydia/gonorrhea testing. Effective October 1, 2011, the Saginaw County Health Department began providing testing services for select agencies in Michigan. Other agencies have been instructed to direct their specimens to the MDCH lab in Lansing for testing. You may contact either Amy Peterson (313-345-4425) or Dr. James Rudrik (517-335-8063) for more information.
Kalamazoo County Health Department to provide surge capacity testing for Norovirus testing. Effective March 1, 2012, MDCH will consolidate most norovirus testing performed in support of outbreak investigations at our Lansing testing. The Kalamazoo County Health Department Laboratory will continue to provide testing for outbreaks that occur in Kalamazoo County and will also provide surge capacity support to the MDCH laboratory. Oakland and Saginaw Counties will also continue to provide norovirus testing services for outbreaks which occur in their respective counties. Other agencies are encouraged to continue to coordinate the collection and submission of testing services through the MDCH Bureau of Epidemiology (517-335-8889)
All bacterial foodborne testing services will be consolidated at the MDCH laboratory. Effective January 2, 2012 all laboratory testing for bacterial foodborne agents will be consolidated at the MDCH laboratory. This testing service is no longer available at Kalamazoo, Kent, and Saginaw Counties and the City of Detroit. Please contact the MDCH laboratory at 517-335-8063 if the event this testing services are required in support of a bacterial foodborne outbreak investigation.

updated 2/14/2012

Newborn Screening Program Adds SCID Testing

The Michigan Newborn Screening Laboratory began testing for Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID) on October 1, 2011. Information can be found on the Michigan Newborn Screening Program page.

updated 10/6/2011

Virtual Tour Available

Have you ever wanted to tour the State Public Health Laboratory? Take a virtual tour now by viewing our new video.

updated 8/24/2011

MDCH Laboratory Research Collaboration: ERIN

The MDCH microbiology lab is collaborating with Michigan State University Enterics Research Investigational Network, Cooperative Research Center (MSU ERIN CRC) to study the impact that four common diarrheal pathogens have on the composition and function of host intestinal microbiome. MDCH will screen stools from cases and controls for EHEC, Salmonella , Campylobacter, Clostridium difficile, and Shigella and provide genetic and phenotypic characteristics . Beneficial microbial communities, microbes and microbial products important for preventing enteric disease will be identified, which in turn, could guide future prevention and treatment strategies.

updated 8/15/2011

MDCH Announces Changes in Regional Laboratory QC Requirements

On 3/15/2011, the Michigan Regional Laboratory System (MRLS) announced changes to the Quality Control requirments for waived testing based upon the requirements of the test manufacturer.

Notice of change
Letter to all MRLS participants
Table of QC requirements

updated 3/18/2011

Michigan Regional Laboratory System Changes

For almost two decades the Michigan Regional Laboratory System (MRLS) has provided a structure of quality assurance for local public health agencies performing testing on human specimens in a non-traditional laboratory or point-of-care setting. The MRLS has enabled local public health agencies to meet the federal regulatory requirements of CLIA'88. However, in the years between the inception of MRLS and now, there have been profound changes in diagnostic technology and state and local public health resources. Read more in the reorganizational letter below.

MRLS Reorganization Letter

Updated 3/17/2011

Bureau of Laboratories Annual Reports

2012 Annual Report
2011 Annual Report
2010 Annual Report
2009 Annual Report
2008 Annual Report

updated 5/15/2013

Rev. 5/15/2013