Sentinel clinical laboratory responsibilities include:
- Being familiar with reportable disease guidelines within its jurisdiction.
- Implementing policies and procedures for referring diagnostic specimens/isolates suspected to contain an agent of public health significance to the appropriate local or state public health laboratory.
- Establishing policies and procedures (should reflect the American Society for Microbiology (ASM) Sentinel Level Clinical Microbiology Laboratory Guidelines for Suspected Agents of Bioterrorism and Emerging Infectious Diseases) for the direct referral of suspect biothreat agent specimens and/or isolates to the appropriate LRN Reference Laboratory.
- Maintaining the capability to perform testing as outlined in the ASM Sentinel Level Clinical Microbiology Laboratory Guidelines for Suspected Agents of Bioterrorism and Emerging Infectious Diseases and demonstrating competency.
- Having a class II or higher certified biosafety cabinet (BSC).
- Complying with biosafety level II (BSL-2) practices outlined in the Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories guidelines (2020). https://www.cdc.gov/labs/pdf/SF__19_308133-A_BMBL6_00-BOOK-WEB-final-3.pdf.
- Complying with applicable Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations for a respiratory protection program (including having policies and procedures for using fit-tested respiratory equipment).
- Ensuring that personnel meets federal regulations for packing and shipping infectious substances.
- Complying with the rules and regulations of the Select Agent Program.
