National TB Lab Services Survey - letter of invitation

Mycobacteriology Laboratory Survey

Attachment 2

Letter of Invitation

Dear Laboratory Directors:

The Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL) in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Division of Tuberculosis Elimination (DTBE) is launching a comprehensive survey to collect information regarding laboratory services, testing volumes, turn around times, referral strategies, and training needs from all laboratories in the U.S. that provide some level of tuberculosis (TB) diagnostic service. This survey is the first of its kind and is being distributed to more than 1,500 laboratories to capture a national picture of TB testing capabilities and capacities.

As you know, diagnosis of TB in the US involves a network of private and public laboratories with different levels of service. As a result, specimens from a single patient may be referred to several different laboratories for more complex tests including drug susceptibility testing. These referral schemes require excellent coordination and communication between public and private sector laboratories to ensure diagnosis and treatment of TB patients are not delayed. Ultimately the results of this survey will be used to identify opportunities to strengthen TB systems nationally and in local jurisdictions.

We need your assistance to ensure the success of this data collection effort. Response to this collection of information is voluntary. The survey consists of 115 questions divided into 11 different categories. Respondents will be routed based on the level of TB services they provide; therefore very few laboratories will be directed to all 115 questions. The survey can be completed in sections by saving and returning at a later time to finalize responses. The time to complete this collection of information varies from XX to XX hours with an estimated average of XX minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information.

We ask that you complete this survey by _______. All laboratories that complete the survey will receive a summary of the aggregate data. In addition, state and local public health laboratories will receive a line listing of laboratory respondents in their area including contact information and the services offered. CDC/ DTBE will receive survey data but laboratory identifying information (e.g., laboratory name) will be removed prior to transfer of data from APHL. Efforts will be made to ensure that information supplied by respondents is securely maintained. Data from this survey will be developed into an APHL issue brief but all data will be presented in aggregate.

Please use the hyperlink below to access the electronic survey instrument and use the following Login credentials. A link to a printable version of the survey is listed for your convenience. If you cannot complete the survey electronically, it may be scanned and submitted via email (tb.survey@aphl.org) or mailed to the address in the signature line below.

Link to the National TB Laboratory Services Survey:

http://research.aphl.org/mfIWEB/xx

Link to the Printable Version:

http://www.aphl.org/surveys/Documents/NationalTBLabServicesSurvey.pdf

Login Credentials:

ID:

Password:

Please direct any questions to APHL Manager of HIV, Hepatitis, STD and TB Programs, Kelly Wroblewski at tb.survey@aphl.org .

Thank you for your participation in this important endeavor.

Sincerely,

xx

Mycobacteriology Laboratory Survey

Follow-up at 2 weeks to the Invitation to participate

Dear Laboratory Director,

Approximately two weeks ago, you received a request to complete the National TB Laboratory Services Survey.  The deadline for completing this survey is COB, xx.  To date xx% of potential respondents have submitted a completed survey. Please be a part of this important endeavor to ensure that we capture an accurate picture of TB testing capabilities and capacities.

You may complete the survey online at the following link:  http://research.aphl.org/mfIWEB/xx.  Your user ID and password are listed below. Alternatively you may complete the survey completing the attached pdf and returning it to me.  Please feel free to contact me with any questions. 

ID: 100

Password: test1