Laboratory System Improvement Program

Developed in 2007 by APHL, in collaboration with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Laboratory Systems and Standards Committee, L-SIP aims to promote and support high-performing state and local public health laboratory systems through continuous quality improvement.

From 2020-2026, L-SIP has engaged over 520 partner representatives, including state and federal agencies; hospitals and clinics; environmental, agricultural and veterinary services; academia; policy makers; associations; and first responders.

System partners are invited to participate in facilitated break-out sessions during a one-day assessment, hosted by the state or local public health laboratory. The assessment follows a framework grounded in the 10 Essential Public Health Services, which guides fundamental activities that public health laboratory systems should perform to effectively protect and improve health outcomes. During an assessment, participants discuss key ideas and model standards, and then, in consensus, rate their level of performance on each essential service. This approach provides an opportunity for public health laboratories and their partners to discuss and identify strengths of their system and opportunities to enhance overall effectiveness.

Themes from the most impactful projects, following an L-SIP assessment, include:

• Enhanced collaboration and/or partnerships
• Improved communication and outreach
• Data systems and technology improvements
• Service access and logistics improvements
• Policy and/or process improvements

View the results and outcomes of every L-SIP assessment and reassessment:

L-SIP Reports