Lab Matters Fall 2017 | Page 22

global health Curriculum Upgrade Comes to Laboratory Medicine at the University of Sierra Leone by Isatta Wurie, PhD, senior technical consultant; Professor Onike Rodrigues, deputy vice chancellor, University of Sierra Leone; Esther Vitto, laboratory program support, Global Health; Mohamed Fofanah, associate specialist, Administration and Finance, Global Health; and Palmira Mangae, associate specialist, Global Health Sierra Leone faces a shortage of qualified laboratory scientists capable of detecting outbreaks and responding to public health events. In July 2017, APHL, under the leadership of the University of Sierra Leone College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences (COMAHS), facilitated a review and harmonization of the laboratory science curricula to improve the capacity, quality and number of the country’s laboratory scientists. • Implement the single pre-medical or access year proposed in a previous curricula review exercise Collaboration in Freetown • Improve students’ practical experience The review was conducted in Freetown, in collaboration with CDC Sierra Leone, Ministry of Health and Sanitation, the Pharmacy Board and Kings College Partnership. The group discussed ways to upgrade the 2014 curricula for Diplomas, Pharmacy, Bachelors of Science (BSc), Bachelors of Medicine (MBBS) and Medical Laboratory courses to a unified format. Objectives included: • Update the curricula to reflect the current needs of the country and global health lessons • Draw up course-credit “modular” curricula for the basic and pre-clinical years • Introduce general studies into the pre-medical curricula • Streamline curricula to include only relevant materials At the end of the five-day intensive, all participating departments adopted the proposed modular credit system. A General Studies module—covering communication and computer skills among others—was introduced to the Pre-Med and Year One BSc Laboratory Science Course. The updated curricula led some departments, such as Basic Medical Sciences and Community Medicine, to downsize their course offerings. The pure sciences, notably Chemistry and Chemical Pathology, downsized theoretical aspects but increased practice sessions. There is still progress to be made, especially in the quantification of stocks for practical sessions. Next Steps The upgraded curricula must be validated by the University Curriculum Committee and other stakeholders, and approved for implementation by the University Senate. It is hoped that COMAHS will have an approved, printed curricula for the 2018-2019 academic year. n CLSI Has The Phlebotomy Resources You Need! 7th Edition GP41 Collection of Diagnostic Venous Blood Specimens This standard provides procedures for the collection of diagnostic venous blood specimens, including line draws, blood culture collection, and venipuncture in children. A standard for global application developed through the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute consensus process. 20 LAB MATTERS Fall 2017 Collection of Diagnostic Venous Blood Specimens, 7th Edition | GP41 GP41 provides procedures for the collection of diagnostic specimens by venipuncture, including line collections, blood culture collection, and venipuncture in children. CLSI has updated its well-respected phlebotomy standard to include 150+ new mandatory requirements. Ensure high quality and patient safety in your lab with GP41. PublicHealthLabs @APHL APHL.org