Page 515 - The Veterinary Laboratory and Field Manual 3rd Edition

452 Jennifer Lasley

Laboratories and the PvS Pathway PvS Gap analysis

The PVS Evaluation mission uses the OIE The PVS Gap Analysis (PVS Costing Tool) is a
PVS Tool, where 47 critical competencies are carefully structured exercise with national vet-
27
systematically evaluated via documentation erinary services to determine the priority goals,
reviews, interviews and physical observations strategies, activities and investments required to
against five graded levels of advancement, each improve veterinary services. During the mission,
with detailed descriptions or indicators to trans- the country’s veterinary services, supported by a
parently guide the process. team of OIE-certified experts and using the PVS
Evaluation of the laboratory function of veter- evaluation information as a baseline, develop
inary services addresses the technical capability strategic and costed actions to improve their
and authority of the veterinary service to address performance and meet national targets (Figure
current and new issues including prevention and 13.5).
control of biological disasters based on scien- In terms of the veterinary laboratory, the PVS
tific principles. Four critical competencies are Gap Analysis provides an analysis of the labora-
directly relevant to the laboratory function. tory’s resources based on needs arising from the
priorities defined in the official programmes of
• II.1A Access to veterinary laboratory diagno- veterinary services related to trade (for example,
sis. The authority and capability of the VS to specific programmes for zoning or compartmen-
have access to laboratory diagnosis in order talization), animal health (for example, disease
to identify and record pathogenic agents, surveillance programmes, monitoring of vacci-
including those relevant for public health and nation efficacy, and so on), and veterinary public
that can adversely affect animals and animal health (for example, residue testing, food safety
products. programmes, and so on). The PVS Gap Analysis
• II.1B Suitability of national laboratory infra- also provides an assessment of the number and
structures. The sustainability, effectiveness types of laboratory analysis required for these
and efficiency of the national (public and pri- official programmes and an indicative opera-
vate) laboratory infrastructures to service the tional budget for these activities only.
needs of the VS. While this information is very important to
• II-2 Laboratory quality assurance. The qual- veterinary services, the PVS Gap Analysis is lim-
ity of laboratories (that conduct diagnostic ited by both the scope of its expertise and the
testing or analysis for chemical residues, time available to the laboratory function, as part
antimicrobial residues, toxins, or tests for, of a much broader whole-of-system planning
biological efficacy, and so on) as measured and costing approach. Therefore, the PVS Gap
by the use of formal QA systems including, Analysis report provides a superficial, overarch-
but not limited to, participation in relevant ing analysis of national laboratory needs.
proficiency testing programmes. The OIE PVS Evaluation and PVS Gap
• II-10 Residue testing. The capability of the VS Analysis (Costing Tool) missions allow for the
to undertake residue testing programmes for evaluation of veterinary services’ official need for
veterinary medicines (for example, antimicro- laboratory analysis as well as their availability
bials and hormones), chemicals, pesticides, and cost as a first step, but do not allow an in-
radionuclides, metals, and so on. 28 depth analysis of the pertinence, efficiency, and
future and ongoing needs of the national labora-
tory network. In particular, the substantial cost

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