NATIONAL REFERENCE CENTERS FOR THE SURVEI LLANCE OF INFECTIOUS-DISEASES IN SWITZERLAND - RESULTS OF A DELPHI STUDY

The national reference laboratories are one of the tools used by publi c health authorities to control infectious diseases. The Swiss Confede ration supports 9 national reference centers (NC), each dealing with a limited number of infectious agents. The purpose of this study was to evaluate if this network meets present day needs, whether it has to b e redefined and how it can be improved. Using the Delphi technique, 34 a concept for NC in Switzerland The main result of this study is that official reference laboratories are considered necessary However, dep ending on the type of infectious agent, the following types of laborat ories should be used: national reference centers, specialized laborato ries and laboratories abroad. The study also defined criteria for the designation of NC, their field of action (general objectives, tasks, d uration of the mandate, infectious agent to be monitored), evaluation criteria, and the type of funding. Furthermore, possible improvements in the present system were identified and the establishment of good co llaborations with reference centers abroad was proposed.