- Succession planning
- Cross-training
- Workflow improvements
- Continuity across the PHL system
- Strategic planning
- Organizational roles and responsibilities
Knowledge Management
APHL develops tools to improve laboratory operations and management by helping organizations retain their institutional knowledge and integrating knowledge gathered from across our membership into model practices. Members help identify, retrieve and store data, which is then transformed, accessed and analyzed for decision-making.
Questions?
Contact the Quality Systems and Analytics team: [email protected]
RETAINING INFORMATION WITHIN THE LABORATORY SYSTEM
About Knowledge Management
All organizations rely on knowledge management practices to help solve problems, capture lessons learned and support model practices. Knowledge management is the process of collecting, organizing and sharing an organization's knowledge and information, including data, so individuals and teams can find and use it. It allows organizations to avoid re-inventing the wheel, work more efficiently and effectively, identify solutions and inform decision-making.
Knowledge management in the laboratory system involves activities such as developing performance standards, establishing and maintaining model practices and procedures, extracting and storing knowledge from the organization’s workforce, and utilizing appropriate technologies.
KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT IN ACTION
How APHL Uses Knowledge Management
We utilize multiple knowledge management strategies to capture information internally and from our membership, which we use to inform our priorities and governance decisions, and guide the development of resources and tools to improve laboratory operations and management.
Data and Information is gathered through:
- Formation of committees, workgroups and task forces
- Creation of communities of practice through the ColLABorate platform
- Data collection, such as surveys and needs assessments
Information is shared via:
- Centralization of knowledge hubs such as Toolkits, the Member Resource Center document library, and test and equipment capabilities through the Public Health Laboratory System Database (PHLSD)
- Publication of reports and data visualization tools
APHL Knowledge Management Committee
The ​​Knowledge Management Committee supports the capture, development, sharing and effective use of organizational knowledge by providing guidance on management and use of APHL information resources for members to improve laboratory processes, procedures and systems.
WHAT APHL OFFERS
Knowledge Management Resources
Below is a collection of our resources to help support knowledge management efforts, both within laboratories and across the laboratory system:
Toolkits
Toolkits support knowledge management by providing a flexible collection of strategies and tools to help laboratories capture, organize, share, and use knowledge more effectively. They offer structured templates and processes to centralize information, improve problem-solving, and facilitate continuous learning, which ultimately enhances efficiency and decision-making.
The Knowledge Retention Toolkit is designed to capture and retain institutional knowledge for the entire life cycle of any employee within the laboratory—from the initial onboarding process through the exit interview.
The toolkit contains both general and position-specific questions, meant to capture the knowledge gained by employees through their hands-on experience and practice in the field. This knowledge includes skills, insights and best practices, which are not often found in an organization’s policies and procedures and would otherwise be lost upon the employee’s departure from the role or organization. Each component of the toolkit can be used alone or in conjunction with the others. All components can be customized to meet individual and organizational needs.
This tool can be used by laboratory leaders to periodically assess employee retention practices, thereby improving workforce retention strategies and reducing turnover. Assessment encompasses 10 areas of retention, each with subthemes that contribute to workforce retention practices, as well as a selection of appropriate levels of development based on policies and practices within the laboratory.
Use the Public Health Laboratory Workforce Retention Scorecard
Databases
By serving as a central organized repository, databases support knowledge management by allowing for efficient storage, retrieval, and sharing of knowledge. Using structured data with categories and tags for quick searching facilitates the rapid exchange of information and enhances collaboration.
Build on the knowledge of public health laboratory professionals with a collection of documents on laboratory operations and services practiced in the field. Whether you are launching a new initiative or enhancing daily operations, the MRC helps you lead, strengthen and advance your public health laboratory operations and management. View resources from other members, or submit your own!
The PHLSD is a centralized knowledge hub capturing capabilities
across public health laboratories. It is a secure, online, comprehensive data
repository housing information on laboratory testing, major equipment
inventory, laboratory information management systems, document control systems
and other operational infrastructure related to APHL-member laboratories.
Information in the database can help support laboratories in training, surge
support, collaboration, and emergency preparedness and response. Access to the
database is restricted to APHL members.
Public Health Laboratory Model Practices
Model practices capture effective processes designed to support public health laboratories in enhancing their operations and workforce programs for continuous quality improvement. Model practices support knowledge management by providing a structured framework for capturing, sharing and utilizing organizational knowledge, resulting in improved efficiency, innovation and informed decision-making.
These practices were collected from the field and within the public health laboratory community:
Workplace Reward and Recognition (R&R) programs can enhance engagement, encourage high performance and increase job satisfaction. Use this guide to effectively show appreciation for laboratory employees
Public health laboratories can use this guide to develop and implement celebration events and establish model practices
This publication is a compilation of information gathered from nine interviews with public health laboratories that have sustained an outreach program focused on infectious diseases.
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