This project aims to address a persistent challenge faced by veterinary diagnostic laboratories: the efficient and accurate capture of data from laboratory submission forms, particularly during…

This Cooperative Agreement award from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS) under the Plant and Animal Disease, Pest Control, and Animal Care grant program (CFDA 10.025) seeks to enhance the sample submission and accessioning processes at the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL), a National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) member. The $199,984 award will fund the development of a toolkit to improve the speed and accuracy of data capture from laboratory submission forms, particularly during disease outbreaks when sample volumes surge. The project aims to streamline workflows and reduce laborious follow-ups to obtain mandatory data elements required for NAHLN reporting, ultimately supporting more effective animal health response and disease surveillance efforts. The award has a performance period of July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025.

This project aims to address a persistent challenge faced by veterinary diagnostic laboratories: the efficient and accurate capture of data from laboratory submission forms, particularly during disease outbreaks. While online portals have improved data capture, there remains significant room for improvement. This issue is amplified during disease outbreaks when sample submissions surge. Our laboratory, along with other national animal health laboratory network (nahln) members, seeks a solution to enhance sample receiving and accessioning processes, especially when supporting nahln testing efforts. Successful project completion will result in improved sample submission and accessioning nahln laboratories. Outbreaks of high-consequence diseases rely on nahln laboratories to assist in diagnostic testing. Enhancements in data speed and accuracy related to diagnostic or surveillance samples submitted during foreign animal disease (FAD) investigations or responses will benefit the entire nahln network. Frequently, submitted samples lack essential data elements required by the nahln messaging standard, necessitating laborious follow-UPS with submitters and field personnel. This project proposes workflow adjustments in the field and the laboratory to reduce the time required for including mandatory data elements, thereby improving the speed and accuracy of nahln testing and reporting. The project will deliver a toolkit that offers immediate benefits for current nahln testing and will grow in value as nahln testing evolves and expands. This project seeks to revolutionize data capture in veterinary diagnostic laboratories which will benefit the nahln network as a whole. By improving the submission and accessioning of samples, we will contribute to more effective response, ultimately safeguarding animal health.