Biosafety and Biosecurity Assessment Tool - Detailed Notes

Introduction to Biosafety and Biosecurity Assessment Tool (BSS LAT)

  • Purpose: To control infections by managing infectious materials in clinical and public health labs, minimizing risks to personnel and the environment.
  • Development Under GHSA: The tool was formulated under the Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA) framework, aimed at enhancing laboratory biosafety and biosecurity.

Overview of BSS LAT

  • Structure: The Biosafety and Biosecurity Laboratory Assessment Tool (BSS LAT) is a spreadsheet-based tool containing:
  • 10 modules covering biosafety requirements.
  • 538 questions plus 108 specific to BSL-3 labs.
  • Designed to score automatically and provide comprehensive assessments.
  • Usage Statistics: Successfully utilized in multiple countries such as Burkina Faso, Armenia, and Liberia.
  • Multilingual Support: Available in English, French, Russian, and Armenian.

Detailed Module Structure

  • Non-numbered Tabs: Cover page, abbreviation list, general information tab includes:
  • Facility name, assessor details, activities, GPS coordinates, and BSL information.
  • Numbered Modules: Cover specific biosafety and biosecurity topics:
  1. Premises and Workflow
  2. Staff Management and Training
  3. Good Laboratory Practices
  4. Cleaning, Disinfecting, and Waste Management
  5. Emergencies
  6. Risk Management
  7. Documentation and Regulations
  8. Biosecurity
  9. Other Risks
  10. BSL-3 Laboratories

Scoring and Assessment Process

  • Questions allow for either closed answers or open comments; the scoring includes:
  • Questions: Scored 0% for unsatisfactory, 100% for satisfactory.
  • Indicators: Average score of related questions.
  • Modules: Average score of all indicators within a module.
  • Visual Representation: Results presented via color-coded scoring system (red, orange, green).
  • User Flexibility: Assessors can save progress and resume the tool at a later time.

Recommendations for Effective Use

  • Suggested assessment process includes:
  • Preliminary visit to explain the assessment.
  • Interaction with laboratory staff during assessment.
  • Immediate feedback on results and findings.
  • Training Component: Can serve as a training resource for staff to enhance understanding of biosafety and biosecurity principles.

Historical Context and Evolution of the Tool

  • Initial Development: Developed in 2017, with iterative enhancements following field tests in various countries.
  • Global Collaboration: Collaborated with organizations like CDC and the African Society for Laboratory Medicine.
  • Expanding Scope: Continuous adaptation to present-day standards and regulations, ensuring relevance in diverse settings.

Impact and Future Prospects

  • Monitoring Tool: Facilitates ongoing assessment of biosafety and biosecurity practices within laboratories.
  • National Standards Development: Provides a framework for countries to formulate national biosafety protocols (e.g., Kazakhstan).
  • Training Opportunities: Acts as a vehicle for improving laboratory staff awareness and practices globally.
  • Recommendations for Expansion: Invitation for organizations to suggest improvements and for translation into additional languages.

Acknowledgments

  • Developed as part of GHSA efforts with significant contributions from international public health bodies, emphasizing the collaborative nature of improving global health security baselines through shared resources and expertise.