Att J - Cover letter

November 7, 2011

Dear Laboratory Director:

The Joint Commission and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are engaged in a cooperative agreement to evaluate the use of rapid influenza diagnostic testing (RIDT) in clinical laboratories. Your facility was selected to participate in this study, and we hope that you are willing to assist us with this research by completing the enclosed questionnaire.

With the emergence of pandemic 2009 H1N1, a number of questions have been raised regarding rapid testing practices. A previous study examined the use of RIDT in Community Health Centers, Emergency Departments and Physician Offices. This study seeks to describe the processes and procedures for performing RIDTs in laboratories, specifically: how laboratories conduct or facilitate confirmatory testing for other ambulatory providers, the adequacy of testing and treatment guidelines, concerns associated with rapid testing, and desired changes and improvement to rapid influenza tests or the testing process.

The information gathered will be used to help formulate and update guidelines for the appropriate use of rapid tests for influenza. Participation in the enclosed survey is voluntary, your participation in and responses to the survey have no impact on your accreditation status. Identifying information will be used only for initial contact purposes, and no identifying information will be kept. The survey should take approximately 30 minutes to complete.

If you have questions please contact Stacey Barrett at 1-888-492-3951 or [email protected].

Cordially,

Nancy Kupka DNSc, MPH, RN

Project Director

Department of Health Services Research

Division of Healthcare Quality Evaluation