The role of a sentinel laboratory is to utilize standardized testing protocols to rule out critical biological agents and refer them to one of the Laboratory Response Network (LRN) reference laboratories, such as state public health laboratories, for confirmation.
If a potential agent of bioterrorism is suspected, the appropriate internal staff should be notified and then contacted by your LRN reference laboratory.
The sentinel laboratory should NOT:
- Continue testing to rule in an agent
- Decide that a bioterrorism event has occurred
- Contact law enforcement or federal public health officials directly
- Accept or process environmental or animal samples or culture clinical specimens for viruses or toxins that are potential agents of bioterrorism
