- The CAP signed a memorandum of understanding with the CDC to provide assistance and expertise with diagnostic surge testing during public health emergencies.
WASHINGTON – The College of American Pathologists (CAP) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to provide assistance and expertise with diagnostic surge testing during public health emergencies.
Based on experiences with the current COVID-19 pandemic and other disease outbreaks, the CDC values partnerships between public and private sectors to support a significant increase in demand for diagnostic testing during a public health emergency. Under the memorandum, the CAP will collaborate with the CDC and other partners and government agencies to support surge testing capacity when public health emergencies and emerging public health threats arise.
“Pathologists have been on the frontline of the COVID-19 crisis, responsible for developing and selecting new test methodologies, validating, and approving testing for patient use, and expanding the testing capabilities of the communities they serve to meet urgent and evolving needs,” said CAP President Emily Volk, MD, FCAP. “The CAP has actively engaged with government agencies to lend its expertise on diagnostic testing issues throughout this pandemic. We now welcome the opportunity to formalize a partnership with the CDC and other government agencies to ensure the patients we serve in communities across the United States have access to the tests they need during public health emergencies.”
As part of the agreement, the CAP will serve as a communications hub between CAP member experts, CAP committees, and entities participating in the MOU. The CAP will leverage its accredited laboratories to assist external surge testing capacity. The CAP will also collect capability data from accredited laboratories to identify those with the capacity to support a national response, including community-based testing for vulnerable patient communities.
Rod Washington: Rod is a blogger, writer, filmmaker, photographer, daydreamer who likes to cook. Rod produces and directs the web series, CUPIC: Diary of an Investigator. He also produces news and documentary video projects. Check out his podcast StoriesThisMoment at https://m3e.d71.myftpupload.com/stm-tncn-podcasts/
