MHA, Public Health Lab Partnership Expands Nonfatal Overdose Surveillance

A partnership between the Missouri State Public Health Laboratory and MHA to expand nonfatal overdose surveillance was featured in Lab Matters, the Association of Public Health Laboratories’ magazine. 

Nonfatal overdose surveillance is a key public health practice taking root across the country. In Missouri, six hospitals are leading the charge to better understand what substances are in the local drug supply. 

Through the partnership, the state lab tests specimens from hospitals and provides quarterly reports on drug trends, including demographic and geographic patterns. These insights are shared with hospitals and community organizations, helping emergency departments improve care by informing staff about local substance use trends.

Missouri hospitals interested in learning more about this partnership can contact Hannah Prince, MHA’s clinical director of substance use programming.