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Charting the Future Direction of National Microbiological Reference Services in Canada
Executive Summary
The forum resulted in the recognition of a need for a strategic shift in processes, thinking, and service delivery. Through a series of breakout sessions, presentations and plenary discussions, participants considered the future of microbiological reference services within the framework of five common themes-services and research, structure and linkages, funding, governance and leadership, and quality and accreditation carried through the breakout session discussions.Many of the recommended "next steps" articulated by participants converged into common ideas or actions, and have been categorized within the five common themes. An aggregate listing of the 27 recommended next steps follows.
Participants called for:
Services and Research
1. Microbiology and epidemiology
services link.
2. An inventory of Canadian reference microbiology services (on-line bulletin board system).
3. Objective program and service evaluation.
4. A national data collection service.
5. New program/service needs-analysis.
6. An inventory of epidemiological and biostatistic resources.
7. Annual evaluations.
2. An inventory of Canadian reference microbiology services (on-line bulletin board system).
3. Objective program and service evaluation.
4. A national data collection service.
5. New program/service needs-analysis.
6. An inventory of epidemiological and biostatistic resources.
7. Annual evaluations.
Structure and Linkages
8. A structural link for microbiology
and epidemiology within LCDC.
9. An Advisory Council/Committee, to provide a vehicle for broad-based input into the network.
10. The development of effective communications strategies and tools to be supported by LCDC.
11. Stronger academic links.
12. A stronger voice in public health policy making.
9. An Advisory Council/Committee, to provide a vehicle for broad-based input into the network.
10. The development of effective communications strategies and tools to be supported by LCDC.
11. Stronger academic links.
12. A stronger voice in public health policy making.
Funding
13. Access to alternative
funding.
14. Stable funding for strategic programs.
15. Access to fee-for-service revenue.
16. Financial inducement for centres of excellence.
17. Adequate funding for set-up, recruitment of personnel and operations of the new Bureau of Microbiology laboratory.
14. Stable funding for strategic programs.
15. Access to fee-for-service revenue.
16. Financial inducement for centres of excellence.
17. Adequate funding for set-up, recruitment of personnel and operations of the new Bureau of Microbiology laboratory.
Governance and Leadership
18. An Advisory Council/Committee to
fill a strategic leadership role for the network.
19. Input into public policy and priority setting.
20. National surveillance procedures and processes.
21. Development of a business plan for an integrated network.
22. A national, visible advocate for public health.
23. A code of Public Health ethics.
19. Input into public policy and priority setting.
20. National surveillance procedures and processes.
21. Development of a business plan for an integrated network.
22. A national, visible advocate for public health.
23. A code of Public Health ethics.
Quality Assurance and Accreditation
24. Establishment and coordination of national standards for
microbiology proficiency testing.
25. A national laboratory accreditation program.
26. National and international benchmarking
27. A repository for reference strains.
