title: Measuring laboratory-based influenza surveillance capacity: development of the 'International Influenza Laboratory Capacity Review' Tool.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The 2005 International Health Regulations (IHR 2005) emphasized the importance of laboratory capacity to detect emerging diseases including novel influenza viruses. To support IHR 2005 requirements and the need to enhance influenza laboratory surveillance capacity, the Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Influenza Division developed the International Influenza Laboratory Capacity Review (Tool).
  
  
  METHODS
  Data from 37 assessments were reviewed and analyzed to verify that the quantitative analysis results accurately depicted a laboratory's capacity and capabilities.
  
  
  METHODS
  Subject matter experts in influenza and laboratory practice used an iterative approach to develop the Tool incorporating feedback and lessons learnt through piloting and implementation. To systematically analyze assessment data, a quantitative framework for analysis was added to the Tool.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The review indicated that changes in scores consistently reflected enhanced or decreased capacity. The review process also validated the utility of adding a quantitative analysis component to the assessments and the benefit of establishing a baseline from which to compare future assessments in a standardized way.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Use of the Tool has provided APHL, CDC and each assessed laboratory with a standardized analysis of the laboratory's capacity. The information generated is used to improve laboratory systems for laboratory testing and enhance influenza surveillance globally. We describe the development of the Tool and lessons learnt.
authors.affiliation: Association of Public Health Laboratories, 8515 Georgia Avenue, Suite 700, Silver Spring, MD 20910, USA. Electronic address: smuirpaulik@gmail.com.
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Muir-Paulik
authors.affiliation: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA.
authors.forename: L E A
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.affiliation: McKing Consulting Corporation, 2810 Old Lee Highway, Suite 300 Fairfax, VA 22031, USA.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kennedy
authors.affiliation: Battelle Memorial Institute, King Avenue, Columbus, OH 43201, USA.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Aden
authors.affiliation: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Villanueva
authors.affiliation: Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene, 465 Henry Mall, Madison, WI 53706, USA.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Reisdorf
authors.affiliation: Biomedical Advanced Research Development Authority, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, Health and Human Services, 200 C St. SW, Washington, DC 20024, USA.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Humes
authors.affiliation: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA.
authors.forename: A C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Moen
mesh_terms: D057191:Capacity Building; D002487:Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S.; D014943:Global Health; D006801:Humans; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000453:epidemiology*; D038622:Internationality; D007753:Laboratories; D011159:Population Surveillance / Q000379:methods*; D011634:Public Health; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
keywords: Assessment; Capacity building; Influenza; Quantitative analysis; Tool