Preparedness. Response. Collaboration.
Where do I fit into the network?
NATIONAL LABORATORIES
Definitive Characterization
National laboratories include those operated by the CDC, U.S. Army Medical Research Institute for Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID), and the Naval Medical Research Center (NMRC). These laboratories are responsible for specialized characterization of organisms, bioforensics, select agent activity, and handling highly infectious biological agents.
REFERENCE LABORATORIES
Confirmatory Testing
Reference laboratories (LRN member laboratories) are responsible for investigation and/or referral of specimens.These laboratories receive reagents, protocols, and specialized training to perform testing for multiple agents in high risk environmental or clinical samples. Reference laboratories also provide training and guidance to sentinel laboratories across the U.S.
SENTINEL LABORATORIES
Recognize. Rule-Out. Refer.
Sentinel laboratories play a key role in the early detection of biological agents. These laboratories provide diagnostic services, rule-out, and referral steps in the identification process. Sentinel laboratories can evaluate whether samples should be sent to an LRN reference laboratory for further testing.