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MDHHS BOL proudly maintains internationally recognized accreditation status
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Bureau of Laboratories (MDHHS BOL) continues to maintain both American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA-LAP, LLC) and College of American Pathologists accreditations and certifications from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA), and the National Lead Laboratory Accreditation Program (NLLAP).
MDHHS BOL takes extraordinary steps in providing accurate and reliable test results to Michiganders for all the completed testing. In the mid-1980’s, MDHHS BOL obtained accreditation through the AIHA LAP, LLC, using their accreditation policy modules. AIHA is an International Organization for Standardization and uses the International Electrotechnical Commission standards (ISO/IEC 17025:2017). This approach forms the specialized system for worldwide standardization for environmental lead testing through the Environmental Lead Laboratory Accreditation Program (ELLAP).
With this accreditation, the MDHHS BOL is an approved lead laboratory program under the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) NLLAP. In 2017, MDHHS BOL expanded the field of testing to include food analyses and obtained accreditation through the Food Laboratory Accreditation Program (FoodLAP).
This accreditation demonstrates MDHHS BOL’s commitment to excellence in public health laboratory testing program. These programs were established as a way to formally recognize laboratories capable of maintaining and operating a quality management system, they are technically competent, and can generate technically valid and reliable test results. These programs also require following several essential good laboratory practices – adequate testing capacity, enforcing exercise of overall responsibility, following strict scientific protocols, maintaining objectivity of results, impartiality in conduct, traceability of measurement, accuracy and precision of tests, and transparency of analytical processes.
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OpiRescue app
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In an effort to reduce the occurrence of overdoses and help residents learn to treat an overdose, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is launching OpiRescue, a smartphone app aimed at reducing harm.
The OpiRescue app helps anyone, including first responders, prevent opioid misuse and reduce opioid overdose deaths by addressing education, prevention and tracking of overdose reversals.
“Preventing opioid deaths includes offering a variety of strategies to provide residents tools when and where they need them,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, MDHHS chief medical executive. “The OpiRescue app will support those who may encounter an overdose to immediately begin life-saving treatment to an affected individual.”
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Mpox in Michigan
For those who may have missed it, the public health emergency in Michigan for the mpox outbreak officially ended February 1, 2023. It will continue to be monitored in case of an increase in cases. There continue to be ample supplies of vaccine available for providers who need it.
MDARD looking to bolster ERAIL readiness
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) is expanding a program that would allow local first responders to better respond to an accident involving a livestock trailer.
Beth Ferry, a pork educator with the Michigan State University Extension, said there are already 500 first responders in 40 counties that have been trained on Emergency Response to Accidents Involving Livestock, or ERAIL. The ERAIL program also has three trailers with all the resources needed to deal with the result of the accident. the three fully loaded emergency trailers are located in Branch County, Jackson County and Otsego County. MDARD made it known that eight more trailers are being added through MDARD funding. The program trains first responders on how to use the animal handling gear and techniques on using the euthanasia equipment.
A note from the Michigan State Police:
The Voluntary Statewide Tornado Drill is an excellent opportunity for Michigan families, schools, and businesses to practice their emergency plans and enhance their readiness for a severe weather event. Encourage your community to test their plan, know the alerts in their area, and be prepared!
The 2023 Severe Weather Awareness Week and Statewide Tornado Drill Media Tool Kit is now available. Please use the resources provided in this toolkit to inform your communities about the hazards of severe weather and to promote Severe Weather Awareness Week and the annual Voluntary Statewide Tornado Drill.
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Training
Supply Chain Management Webinar Series - 1108310
This series is follow up presentations on supply chain from 2019. These presentations include lessons learned, how has supply chain changed since COVID and how to better adapt or anticipate shortages.
There are social worker, physician, nursing, EMS and nursing home administrator credits available for each session. The next session on April 18, 2023 is: HIDA, Disaster Preparedness Partnerships and A Path Forward on Supply chain Resiliency.
Human Trafficking Virtual Progressive Series - 1107680
Human trafficking is a major problem in Michigan. Awareness especially by those in medical roles will help reduce that problem. Many providers have unknowingly encounter victims and could be the difference between freedom and continued capture/torture. These sessions seek to provide tools for planning and preparation for frontline staff, hospitals and social workers to be able to identify, work with law enforcement and care for such patients.
The next session is on April 18, 2023 from Michigan State Police on law enforcement efforts to minimize human trafficking. There are social worker, physician, nursing, EMS and nursing home administrator credits available for each session.
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The Guardian of Public Health is a monthly newsletter from the Bureau of Emergency Preparedness, EMS, and Systems of Care (BEPESOC) within the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). The Guardian aims to provide readers with relevant content on topics that affect the public health of Michigan's citizens and communities.
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This publication was supported by Cooperative Agreement number 1NU90TP922062-01-00, funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the Department of Health and Human Services.
Bureau of EMS, Trauma & Preparedness | 1001 Terminal Rd, Lansing, MI 48906 | 517-335-8150
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