Background: The WHO Regional Office for Europe has recently launched an online laboratory data management system (LDMS), an important data collection and reporting tool for the regional poliomyelitis (polio) laboratory network. This network of professionals, mandated by WHO, assists the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) in fighting polio in the WHO European Region through laboratory detection of poliovirus. The laboratories, which are annually accredited by WHO, use the latest advancements in molecular biology to detect infection even when no symptoms are present, thus alerting public health professionals and prompting them to initiate response measures. All laboratories in the network participate in a regular external quality assurance programme to maintain a consistently high degree of sensitivity to virus detection.Methods: During the 2010 polio outbreak in the Region, the laboratory network proved it was able to provide information and results on virus origin in record time. However, the laboratories also needed to rapidly collect and disseminate large amounts of data. Seeing an opportunity to make the reporting process more streamlined and accessible, WHO worked to develop an improved online reporting tool.Results: The result of these efforts, the web-based LDMS tool, will ultimately connect virologists in all 53 Member States in near real-time to exchange investigation results. Once fully implemented in all laboratories, it will enhance acute flaccid paralysis (AFP), enterovirus and environmental surveillance in the European Region. WHO Europe will also adopt LDMS to other WHO laboratory networks, such as the measles and rubella network.Conclusion: The LDMS tool supports all modern web browsers and possesses an intuitive interface with a powerful data validation module. It also provides complete specimen traceability and helps laboratories manage data, report results and exchange information internationally. LDMS utilizes strict hierarchal data access control and password security. Depending on three levels (sub-national, national and supra-national), labs are able to view, share and edit data. LDMS also merges laboratory results with epidemiological data through the Computerized Information System for Infectious Diseases (CISID), previously developed by WHO Europe. http://dx.
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