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Home My WebLink AboutC2006-623 - 11/14/2006 - ApprovedSTATE OF TEXAS § COUNTY OF NUECES § Memorandum of Understanding Between APHL and Health District for Sample Testing This memorandum of understanding ( "MOU ") is made between the Association of Public Health Laboratories ("APHL ") and the Corpus Christi- Nueces County Public Health District ( "Health District ") and will be binding upon both parties until such time as any further agreement is signed by both parties. Article Scope of Work Upon request of the United States Postal Service ( "USPS "), through the APHL, the Health District agrees to ensure the testing of environmental samples collected from designated USPS facilities. Unless otherwise agreed to, the facilities tested will be located in the same state as the Health District. This testing will be performed in accordance with the approved Laboratory Response Network ( "LRN ") protocols, established by the United States Centers for Disease Control ( "CDC'), for processing of various USPS samples. The protocols are published on the secure LRN website. Article 11 Sample Collection Following an initial "alert" from the USPS to the APHL, USPS inspectors will collect a cartridge containing the specimen sample and an "archival' sample bottle containing any remaining liquid sample. These samples will be immediately transported by a USPS inspector to the Health District for confirmatory testing. LRN confirmatory testing by the Health District will include both a PCR assay and culture. In addition to the cartridge specimen sample, environmental samples will be taken at the USPS facility by a contractor that has been retained by the USPS for this purpose. USPS Facility Sampling Contractors (FSCs) will collect environmental samples in accordance with approved CDC/LRN procedures. These collection procedures are published on the CDC website at hft : / /www.bt.edc. ov /A entlAnthraxlenvironmental- sampling- apr2002.0 . 2006 -623 ]1114106 M2006 -374 Association of Public Health Labs INDEXED Article III Sample Transport and Logs The mechanism for transport of samples for testing at the Health District will be based upon pre -event discussions with USPS representatives and FSCs located within Texas. The samples will be labeled in a standardized format, and a Sample Documentation Form (SDF)1 Chain -of- Custody (CoC) form will be provided by the USPS for each set of samples. Article IV Testing Expectations and Timeframe for Reporting PCR Ass�r The Health District agrees to follow approved LRN protocol for real -time PCR assay for the detection of B. anthracis DNA. As test results will impact prophylaxis decisions, results of the PCR assay must be reported within 4 hours of receipt of sample at the Health District. Culture Culture confirmation must be set up for ALL samples, regardless of PCR results. After processing, plates must be observed for at least 12 -18 hours (overnight) and then daily until 48 hours after plating. At 24 hours and 48 hours, the Health District shall enter and record results using the LRN Results Messenger. If the Health District does not have the LRN Results Messenger, the laboratory will report results using the LRN Online Results Reporting Site. The following culture testing and reporting procedures must be followed: • Negative Culture Results The Health District shall incubate the plate for 48 hours before sending out a final "Negative for B. anthracis," or alternatively, "No B, anthracis detected." The Health District shall report negative results within 72 hours of receipt of the samples at the Health District. Enter results using the LRN Results Messenger. Positive Culture Results If the Health District confirms that B. anthracis has been isolated, the Health District shall make arrangements with the CDC, if mandated by the CDC, for overnight shipment of the isolate to the CDC for further characterization. Enter results using the LRN Results Messenger. • Questionable Culture Results If suspicious colonies are seen at any point in the incubation period, the APHUHealth District Sample Testing MOU Page 2 of 5 Health District shall process the cultures with approved CDC /LRN testing protocols, indicate this testing status update on the SDFICoC and the LRN Results Messenger. if the Health District cannot rule out the possibility of B. anthraces, the Health District shall make arrangements with the CDC for overnight shipment of the isolate to the CDC for confirmatory testing. To arrange shipping of the isolate and to advise the CDC of the situation, the Health District shall contact the CDC's Bioterrorism Rapid Response and Advanced Technology Laboratory. The contact information is available on the secure LRN website. Enter consultation/confirmation pending results using the LRN Results Messenger. Sample Requiring Further Testing For samples requiring further workup, i.e., those being referred for further testing, the Health District shall send results within 120 hours of receipt of the sample (five days). Article V Modifications to Expectations Procedural modifications to sample collection, testing, and reporting may be implemented by the CDC or USPS as may be necessary, and any new requirements from either agency will be incorporated into the testing and reporting procedures set out in this MOU. Article VI Result Reporting and Communication The Health District acknowledges and agrees that rapid notification of test results associated with the cartridge specimen sample is of the utmost importance. The Health District agrees to report PCR assay and culture results immediately to the lead USPS inspector identified during pre -event planning. Additionally, the CDC's Director's Emergency Operations Center (DEOC) Duty Officer (770) 488 -7100 must be notified along with state/county/local health departments as appropriate in this jurisdiction and in compliance with protocols established during the pre -event planning. Key health officials may be notified, in compliance with applicable laws, regulations, or established policies. Communication with the press will be embargoed until a teleconference can be arranged between the USPS, CDC, State of Texas Public Health Laboratory Director, State of Texas Public Health Official, State of Texas Epidemiologist, and the Health District. The purpose of the teleconference is to ensure a coordinated response to a positive test result. Expectations for lead coordinator to set up this teleconference may be determined by the USPS and federal law enforcement agencies during the pre -event planning discussions. APHLIHealth District Sample Testing MOU Page 3 of 5 Laboratory personnel must follow notification protocols outlined during pre -event discussions and in the LRN Notification Policy. All test results must be reported according to CDC /LRN Data Messaging Policy. At the time of execution of this MOU, the APHL requests that all results be electronically reported through the LRN Results Messenger. If the LRN Results Messenger or Online Results Reporting is not available, then results must be reported by phone to the CDC's Bioterrorism Rapid Response and Advanced Technology Laboratory. The contact information is available on the secure LRN website. Article VII Fee For the services outlined in this MOU, the Health District will receive $150.00 per USPS sample. This fee includes all necessary confirmatory testing indicated by the approved LRN protocol. Article VIII Invoicing In order to receive payment, the Health District must submit an invoice indicating the USPS site location, the number of samples from the site, the total number of samples tested, and total amount due to the Health District. The invoice must be mailed to United States Postal Service Attn: Director of Finance 8515 Georgia Ave, Suite 700 Silver Spring, MD 20910 The Health District, to the extent allowed by law, agrees that the limit of liability applicable to the APHL under this MOU is the value of services performed by the Health District. Article IX Confidentiality of Agreement This MOU and its contents constitute a tactical plan of action of a governmental entity for responding to an act of terrorism, including bioterrorism, and related criminal activity and to a probable public health emergency. This MOU and its contents are confidential under Chapter 418 of the Texas Government Code. This MOU and its contents may also be confidential under other laws of the United States and the State of Texas. (EXECUTION PAGE FOLLOWS) APHL /Health District Sample Testing MOU Page 4 of 5 ASSOCIATION OF PUBLIC HEALTH LABORATORIES By: Date: 7&( Scott J. Becke Executive Director CORPUS CHRISTI - NUECES COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH DISTRICT By: d Annette Rodriquez Acting Director of Public Health Approved as to form: Laura Garza - Jiminez County Attorney Approved as to form: _,_q /I kz_ r Eliz7abeth4 Hundley Assistan ity Attorney for the City Attorney Date: Y • /. 2.0 7 ff MMCIL APHUHealth District Sample Testing MOU Page 5 of 5