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Advanced laboratory Services

Public health laboratories across Caribbean Member States perform routine diagnostic testing for infectious diseases. For more complex diagnostics, outbreak investigations, or specialised pathogen characterisation, national laboratories refer samples to the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) Medical Microbiology Laboratory (CMML), which operates as a regional reference laboratory. Samples are collected locally and shipped under controlled conditions to CMML, where advanced testing—such as molecular diagnostics, serology, and genetic characterisation—is performed under an accredited quality management system (ISO/IEC 15189). Results are communicated back to the originating laboratory and public health authorities, supporting clinical decision-making, surveillance, and outbreak response.

Through the Caribbean Public Health Laboratory Network (CariPHLN), laboratories collaborate, share knowledge, and strengthen regional capacity. This use case illustrates cross-border laboratory collaboration to provide high-quality diagnostics and coordinated public health response.

Challenge today

  • Cross-border shipment of samples requires complex logistics and compliance procedures
  • Laboratory data is often fragmented across systems and countries
  • Delays may occur in transporting samples and receiving results
  • Limited interoperability between laboratory and clinical systems
  • Coordination between laboratories and public health authorities can be manual and time-consuming

Desired situation

  • Samples and associated data are tracked and exchanged seamlessly across borders
  • Laboratory results are shared digitally and integrated with national systems
  • Public health authorities have timely access to surveillance data
  • Collaboration between laboratories is supported by shared platforms
  • Outbreak detection and response are accelerated

Required capabilities

  • Identification and tracking of samples across organisations and countries
  • Secure exchange of laboratory data and results
  • Standardised formats for laboratory tests and reporting
  • Integration with surveillance and public health systems
  • Support for quality assurance and accreditation processes
  • Coordination mechanisms for regional laboratory networks
  • Patient / Sample Identity
  • Health Data Exchange
  • Laboratory Information Exchange
  • Terminology & Semantics
  • Audit & Logging
  • Public Health Surveillance

Impact

  • Faster detection and response to infectious disease outbreaks
  • Improved quality and consistency of laboratory diagnostics
  • Better regional collaboration and resource utilisation
  • Strengthened public health surveillance across the Caribbean
  • Enhanced resilience of health systems