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Lessons from the reestablishment of Public Health Laboratory activities in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria

Author

Listed:
  • Margaret C. Hardy

    (Laboratory Leadership Service Fellowship, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
    National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
    Office of the Chief Regulatory Scientist, Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority)

  • Rita C. Stinnett

    (Laboratory Leadership Service Fellowship, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
    National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

  • Kristine J. Kines

    (Laboratory Leadership Service Fellowship, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
    Center for Global Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
    Office of the Deputy Director for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

  • Danisha M. Rivera-Nazario

    (National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
    Office of the Deputy Director for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

  • David E. Lowe

    (Laboratory Leadership Service Fellowship, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
    National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

  • Alexandra M. Mercante

    (National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

  • Nathalie Gonzalez Jimenez

    (National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

  • Rosa I. Cuevas Ruiz

    (Public Health Laboratories, Puerto Rico Department of Health)

  • Héctor I. Rivera Arbolay

    (Public Health Laboratories, Puerto Rico Department of Health)

  • Rafael L. Gonzalez Peña

    (Public Health Laboratories, Puerto Rico Department of Health)

  • Mayra Toro

    (Public Health Laboratories, Puerto Rico Department of Health)

  • Alma A. Trujillo

    (National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

  • Claudia L. Pappas

    (National Center for Immunizations and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

  • Anna C. Llewellyn

    (Center for Global Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

  • Francisco Candal

    (Office of Technology and Innovation, Office of Science, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

  • María Burgos Garay

    (National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

  • Gerardo A. Gomez

    (National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

  • Jeniffer Concepcion Acevedo

    (National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

  • Marisela Ansbro

    (Center for Preparedness and Response, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

  • Hercules Moura

    (National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

  • Michael W. Shaw

    (Office of the Deputy Director for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

  • Atis Muehlenbachs

    (Office of the Deputy Director for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

  • Lovisa C. Romanoff

    (National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

  • Brittany J. Sunshine

    (National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

  • Dale A. Rose

    (Center for Preparedness and Response, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
    National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

  • Anita Patel

    (National Center for Immunizations and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

  • Craig N. Shapiro

    (Center for Preparedness and Response, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

  • S. Carolina Luna-Pinto

    (Center for State, Tribal, Local and Territorial Support, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

  • Satish K. Pillai

    (National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

  • Eduardo O’Neill

    (Office of the Deputy Director for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

Abstract

Public Health Laboratories (PHLs) in Puerto Rico did not escape the devastation caused by Hurricane Maria. We implemented a quality management system (QMS) approach to systematically reestablish laboratory testing, after evaluating structural and functional damage. PHLs were inoperable immediately after the storm. Our QMS-based approach began in October 2017, ended in May 2018, and resulted in the reestablishment of 92% of baseline laboratory testing capacity. Here, we share lessons learned from the historic recovery of the largest United States’ jurisdiction to lose its PHL capacity, and provide broadly applicable tools for other jurisdictions to enhance preparedness for public health emergencies.

Suggested Citation

  • Margaret C. Hardy & Rita C. Stinnett & Kristine J. Kines & Danisha M. Rivera-Nazario & David E. Lowe & Alexandra M. Mercante & Nathalie Gonzalez Jimenez & Rosa I. Cuevas Ruiz & Héctor I. Rivera Arbola, 2019. "Lessons from the reestablishment of Public Health Laboratory activities in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 10(1), pages 1-8, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:10:y:2019:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-019-10776-y
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-10776-y
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