USDA Releases Independent Reviews of Ames, Iowa, Laboratories |
On February 4, Secretary Vilsack announced that the Office of Inspector General (OIG) had been conducting an investigation into the alleged actions of employees at the Department's laboratories in Ames, Iowa, involving the use of veterinary credentials to purchase medications for human use so that other employees might be provided with low-cost prescription drugs.
As Secretary Vilsack has emphasized, the American public, trading partner and stakeholder trust are all critical to effective Government operations. In an effort to be fully transparent about the situation in Ames, APHIS commissioned two third-party reviews – one of Ames’ laboratory processes and the other of the laboratories’ management and culture.
Both reviews have been completed. Taken together, the reviews acknowledge the facility’s complex culture and challenges facing the workforce, as well as affirm the laboratories are highly efficient organizations that are appropriately protecting U.S. animal health. We are gratified the reviews also validate that no test results or other official laboratory activities were compromised in any way by the alleged activity announced back in February.
While conducting the external reviews caused an increased level of scrutiny, our decision to commission them was essential to demonstrate APHIS’ and Ames’ commitment to accountability and affirming the labs’ integrity, as well as ensuring the management and cultural environment at the facility is as positive as possible.
We consider the external reviews as an opportunity to learn from outside experts in workplace performance, leadership and management, and laboratory management and research how Ames can improve its own processes and management and become a more effective organization.
To review the laboratory and business processes in place at Ames’ National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) and Center for Veterinary Biologics (CVB), APHIS contracted with Battelle Memorial Institute of Columbus, Ohio. The Battelle team conducted the review in conjunction with a nationally and internationally recognized team of quality assurance and veterinary experts, with experience in laboratory management, research, and select agents. For the second external review, APHIS contracted with Management Concepts out of Vienna, Virginia, to take a broad look at management and culture at NVSL and CVB. Several key members from the firm’s Assessment Practice and Leadership and Management Practice were part of the assessment team.
- National Veterinary Services Laboratories and Center for Veterinary Biologics Laboratory Process Review
- U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service’s Response to Recommendations in Battelle Memorial Institute Laboratory Process Review
- Veterinary Services’ NVSL and CVB Management and Culture Review
Last Modified:
July 28, 2009