This panel presentation describes the processes and products achieved through the collaborative efforts of the Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) joint project; the Public Health Laboratory Interoperability Project (PHLIP). PHLIP is an effort to support automated electronic data exchange between Public Health Laboratories (PHLs), CDC, and additional clinical partners.

This panel presentation describes the processes and products achieved through the collaborative efforts of the Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) joint project; the Public Health Laboratory Interoperability Project (PHLIP).  PHLIP is an effort to support automated electronic data exchange between state Public Health Laboratories (PHLs), CDC, and additional clinical partners.  Promoting and supporting the PHLIP effort furthers the goal of nation-wide electronic laboratory data exchange - a major priority for public health.  The PHLIP initiative has implemented its unique methods by employing technical PHLIP Assistance Teams (PATs) to bolster in-house capabilities in areas of terminology, technical architecture and project management within the State Laboratories either virtually or through hands-on support.   Outcomes of this initiative have included: increasing laboratory data exchange, harmonizing tests and test results with the usage of LOINC and SNOMED, providing detailed vocabulary and messaging implementation guidelines for PHLs and their partners, improving data quality and availability, and implementing tested system architecture.

Real world examples from various stakeholders involved in the PHLIP initiative will be presented including those from: PHLIP Assistance Team Project Management, CDC’s Influenza Division, as well as a representative from Alabama’s State Public Health Laboratory.  Thus, allowing for discussion that will cover the full breadth of this topic and its impact on advancing the national effort to expand standards-based integrated systems and services.  

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