About

Houston Health Department (HHD) Laboratory 
The HHD Laboratory provides accurate and precise analytical data in a timely manner for the prevention, control, and surveillance of disease within the community.The laboratory serves as a regional reference laboratory in the Texas Public Health Region 6/5 and provides high-quality clinical and environmental testing services to the 17 surrounding counties. We are accredited in various fields and collaborate with local, state, and federal partners to fulfill an array of public health initiatives.

The laboratory serves as:

• The conduit for scientific data and information in support of public health programs
• As center of excellence in the areas of biological, chemical, and environmental public health issues 
• A leader among public health laboratories.

Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL)
APHL was founded over 60 years ago and is a nonprofit organization, funded through agreements with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other federal agencies.  APHL represents state and local governmental health laboratories in the United States.  Additionally, they work closely with federal agencies to develop and execute national health initiatives.  
    
APHL has expertise in the following areas:

• Laboratory Science
• Emergency Response
• Public Health Informatics
• Laboratory Training
• Leadership Development
• Research
• Publications
• Conferences
• Federal Liaison / Public Policy

Additional information can be found at  APHL.

Vision
A healthier world through quality laboratory systems.

Mission
Shape national and global health outcomes by promoting the value and contributions of public health laboratories and continuously improving the public health laboratory system. 
       
Assessment Day – August 6, 2024

Register to participate
Thank you to our partners for your participation in helping us make this a successful L-SIP.

Resources
L-SIP Assessment Tool
Click here to access the Assessment Tool.
L-SIP User’s Guide
Click here to access the User’s Guide.

Assessment Results
Please give us time to compile the results.  Be sure to check back after August 15, 2024, for the final report.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is an L-SIP?
The L-SIP was created as a collaborative effort between APHL and CDC to facilitate improvement of state and local Public Health Laboratory Systems, with a goal of continuous quality improvement.  It targets improvements through the collaborative work of partners to: 

• Assess the system’s performance
• Plan for system improvements
• Implement improvement strategies
• Re-assess system per

Benefits of an L-SIP    
The L-SIP is a valuable tool that identifies areas for system improvement, strengthening state and local partnerships, and assuring that a strong system is in place for effective response for day-to-day public health issues, as well as public health emergencies.  Additional information can be found on the Fact Sheet or by viewing the Program Benefits. 

L-SIP Assessment Overview    

• A day-long evaluation of how the Public Health Laboratory System supports the 10 Essential Public Health Services at state and local levels.
• Participants are provided with an orientation to the Local Public Health Laboratory System and the scoring process.
• The entire group of participants will be introduced to the format via a facilitated discussion of one Essential Service.
• Participants are divided into one of three breakout groups, based on subject matter expertise.
• Each breakout group will be led by a facilitator through a discussion and scoring of three Essential Services throughout the day.  Theme takers will record major discussion points, ideas, and Parking Lot issues.
• The day concludes with all participants together to hear the results.

    
Who should participate in the assessment?
Participants should include state and local public health services providers, university/academia, hospitals, private and independent laboratories, FBI and state police, environmental agencies, and others as appropriate.  Any group of individuals who participate in working with state or local Public Health Laboratory to achieve a healthy public may be included.  
 
What is a Local Public Health Laboratory System?
A public health laboratory system is an alliance of laboratories and other partners within a state or locality that supports the 10 essential public health services.  System members and stakeholders operate in an interconnected and interdependent way to facilitate the exchange of information, optimize laboratory services, and help control and prevent disease and public health threats.  Additional information can be found here.