Research and analysis

HPR volume 10 issue 17: news (13 May)

Updated 16 December 2016

1. Zoonoses, enteric fever and routine GI infection reports in this issue of HPR

The following infection reports are published in this issue of HPR. The links below are to the relevant webpage collections or publications.

1.1 Zoonoses and enteric fever reports

• Common animal associated infections quarterly report (E&W): first quarter 2016
• Enteric fever surveillance quarterly report (EWNI): first quarter 2016

1.2 Routine GI infection reports

• General outbreaks of foodborne illness in humans, England and Wales: weeks 14-17/2016
• Salmonella infections (faecal specimens) England and Wales, reports to Public Health England (salmonella data set): March-April 2016
• Suspected and laboratory-confirmed reported norovirus outbreaks in hospitals, with regional breakdown: outbreaks occurring in weeks 14-17/2016

2. Good practice standard for serology assays in the clinical laboratory re-issued

UK Standards for Microbiology Investigations (UK SMI) have re-issued a quality document UK SMI Q7: Good Practice when Undertaking Serology Assays for Infectious Diseases.

Conventionally, microbiology and virology laboratories perform microbial serology assays. However, in an increasing number of laboratories some tests are performed using analysers on automated blood sciences tracks. This document recognises the importance of the critical pre-analytical, analytical and post-analytical steps and procedures which are essential to the delivery of a high quality service [1,2]. It discusses the good practice that should be exhibited in all laboratories to support the delivery of quality test data and to facilitate a sound approach to the management of laboratory testing, including conduct, reporting and archiving [3].

Sections of the document that have been updated include those on evaluation, validation and verification of assays in the laboratory. In addition, details of the evidence grading system, now applied to references in all new SMIs, are included.

2.1 References

1. Laposata M, Dighe A (2007). “Pre-pre” and “post-post” analytical error: high-incidence patient safety hazards involving the clinical laboratory. Clin ChemLab Med 45: 712-9.
2. Institute of Biomedical Science (2009). Patient sample and request form identification criteria.
3. European Committee on Standardization (2012). Medical laboratories: requirements for quality and competence (ISO 15189:2012).

3. Childhood influenza vaccination pilot programme: 2014/15 report

The UK has recently started the introduction of a universal influenza vaccine programme – eventually to cover children from two to 17 years of age – over a number of seasons. The ultimate aim of the programme is to not only directly protect the targeted children themselves, but also to protect the wider community (eg the elderly) by reducing transmission in the population. Pilots have been initiated in England to investigate the acceptability, and best means of delivery of, a future universal national programme that would target school age children.

Following the successful implementation of the second year of the pilot programme – covering the 2014/15 influenza season – PHE recently published a report on the cumulative uptake achieved, also providing analysis of the most successful means of delivery and information about consents, refusals, contraindications and population level predictors of reduced vaccine uptake [1].

The report covers flu vaccinations administered as part of the school-age pilot programme from 1 September 2014 to 31 January 2015. It notes that “promising” uptake levels were achieved across most pilot areas in children of primary and secondary school age (4-13 years), demonstrating the feasibility of rolling out the programme to older children nationally.

The analysis showed that uptake was consistently higher when the programme was delivered through schools, rather than through pharmacy and GP settings. Refusal and non-response rates increased with increasing age and were higher in certain geographical areas, in particular London. Vaccine uptake was found to be significantly lower in areas which were more deprived and had a higher proportion of the population from a Black and Minority Ethnic group.

The findings of the report will help to inform the ongoing development of strategies to further improve uptake levels.

3.1 Reference

1. PHE (April 2016). Childhood Influenza Vaccination Pilot Programme, England 2014/15: end of season report.

4. Health and Safety Laboratory health risk assessment course, 8 June 2016

The HSE’s Health and Safety Laboratory is running a one-day course for health and safety practitioners on health-risk assessments relating to hazardous substances, noise and vibration. The course is designed to help practitioners better understand the ‘invisible’ risks associated with hazardous substances, noise and vibration. It will cover how risk assessments should be conducted to meet legal requirements and how they should fit into overall risk management programmes.

4.1 Enquiries

training@hsl.gsi.gov.uk.

4.2 Programme and online booking

Improving Your Health Related Risk Assessments, HSL Training Unit, Harpur Hill, Buxton (near Sheffield), Derbyshire SK17 9JN.