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. 2025 Sep-Oct;31(5):783-786.
doi: 10.1097/PHH.0000000000002157. Epub 2025 Jul 17.

Availability of a Continuity of Operations Plan Toolkit for Public Health Mycobacteriology Laboratories

Monica E Youngblood  1 , Stephanie P Johnston
Affiliations

Availability of a Continuity of Operations Plan Toolkit for Public Health Mycobacteriology Laboratories

Monica E Youngblood et al. J Public Health Manag Pract. 2025 Sep-Oct.

Abstract

Interruption of service events may result in a temporary inability to use equipment or laboratory space, compromise staffing and infrastructure, preclude maintenance or calibration of equipment, and prevent or require extensive disinfection and decontamination. A continuity of operations plan allows a mycobacteriology laboratory to shift efficiently from its regular structure to one that enables timely continuation of testing services. The Continuity of Operations Plan Toolkit for Public Health Mycobacteriology Laboratories was developed to aid continuity of operations planning for mycobacteriology laboratories that offer testing services for diagnosing tuberculosis. The toolkit includes processes for creating, modifying, or implementing mycobacteriology continuity of operations plans, including considerations for leveraging partnerships. Available within the toolkit are various templates and checklists which can be adapted to meet specific local needs. While intended for public health laboratories, the toolkit is applicable for clinical, commercial, and other laboratory types that may perform tuberculosis testing.

Keywords: continuity of operations plan (COOP); interruption of service event (ISE); mycobacteriology; tuberculosis (TB) testing.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have indicated they have no potential conflicts of interest to disclose. The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official position of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Figures

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FIGURE
Examples of Content Included in the Continuity of Operations Plan Toolkit for Public Health Mycobacteriology Laboratories.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Laboratory Systems. Laboratory Continuity of Operations Planning (COOP) course. Accessed January 27, 2022. https://reach.cdc.gov/course/laboratory-continuity-operations-planning-coop.
    1. Association of Public Health Laboratories. Guidelines for the Public Health Laboratory Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP). 2021. Accessed January 27, 2022. https://www.aphl.org/aboutAPHL/publications/Documents/APHL-PHPR-2021-COO....
    1. Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI): Laboratory Detection and Identification of Mycobacteria. 2nd ed. CLSI guideline M48, CLSI: Wayne, PA; 2018. http://www.clsi.org/