Public Health Laboratory Testing. LRN-B CDC manages the Laboratory Response Network (LRN), a group of local, state, federal, and international laboratories. CDC funds a subset of jurisdictions through the PHEP cooperative agreement to establish and maintain LRN public health laboratories to respond to biological and chemical threats. The LRN is not limited to laboratories that receive PHEP funding. Other laboratories that participate include state and locally funded public health laboratories as well as federal, military, international, agricultural, veterinary, food, and environmental testing laboratories. Number of LRN-B public health labs Data source is the CDC Center for Preparedness and Response, Division of State and Local Readiness, July 1, 2016 – June 30, 2017 (Budget Period 5). These data are only available for the states and localities. The number of LRN Biological (LRN-B) public health labs includes the total number of local, county, and state public health laboratories. These labs test for one or more biological threat agents and are supported by the LRN program office at CDC. This number excludes the number of national, federal, military, agricultural, veterinary, food, environmental testing, and sentinel (for example, frontline, hospital-based) laboratories in each state. Proportion of LRN-B proficiency tests passed Data source is the CDC Center for Preparedness and Response, Division of State and Local Readiness, 2015 data: July 1, 2014 – June 30, 2015 (Budget Period 3), 2016 data: July 1, 2015 – June 30, 2016 (Budget Period 4), 2017 data: July 1, 2016 – June 30, 2017 (Budget Period 5). These data are only available for the states and localities. The LRN evaluates laboratory capabilities through proficiency testing. LRN-B laboratories must demonstrate the ability to receive, test, and report on one or more suspected biological agents from unknown samples. Proficiency test results are presented in the fact sheets as the proportion of proficiency tests passed to the total number of proficiency tests participated in by LRN-B public health laboratories each year. If a laboratory is unable to successfully test for an agent within a specified time period and submit results, then the laboratory will not pass the proficiency test. If a laboratory fails a proficiency test, it is required to go through remediation proficiency testing to ensure that any problems are corrected. If a laboratory does not pass remediation testing, it can no longer perform testing in the LRN-B for that spec...
Public Health Laboratory Testing. Introduction Public health laboratories are critical to the nation’s ability to rapidly detect and respond to a variety of public health incidents. The laboratory testing performance measures were developed to assess routine and other frequent activities that occur at PHEP-funded laboratories (primarily, but not exclusively, state public health laboratories) across the nation. In addition, a number of measures utilized by the Laboratory Response Network (LRN-B and LRN-C) have also been incorporated. Although not encompassing all aspects of laboratory functions, the intent of these performance measures is to serve as a foundation for describing and assessing laboratory capabilities among PHEP-funded laboratories.
Public Health Laboratory Testing. LRN-C The LRN Chemical (LRN-C) is a national network of state and local public health laboratories that responds to public health emergencies related to chemical threat agents. Each laboratory has the capacity to monitor chemical exposures at their onset, assist local hospitals and first responders with sample collection, pack and ship to other network laboratories, or serve as a CDC sentinel site for large chemical emergencies. Number and level of LRN-C labs Data source is the CDC Center for Preparedness and Response, Division of State and Local Readiness, 2017 data: July 1, 2016 – June 30, 2017 (Budget Period 5). These data are only available for the states, localities, and Puerto Rico. There are three levels of LRN-C labs. The number of LRN-C labs listed is limited to those directly funded by the PHEP cooperative agreement (for example, state public health labs). Proportion of core chemical threat agent detection methods successfully demonstrated by Xxxxx 0 xxx/xx Xxxxx 0 labs Data source is the CDC Center for Preparedness and Response, Division of State and Local Readiness, 2015 data: July 1, 2014 – June 30, 2015 (Budget Period 3), 2016 data: July 1, 2015 – June 30, 2016 (Budget Period 4), 2017 data: July 1, 2016 – June 30, 2017 (Budget Period 5). The proficiency testing results are the proportion of core methods successfully demonstrated by the Level 1 and Level 2 laboratories in each state or locality to the total number of core methods identified by CDC. CDC has identified nine core methods for detecting and measuring chemical threat agents and has conducted testing to determine LRN-C labs’ proficiency in these methods. Number of additional chemical threat agent detection methods demonstrated by Xxxxx 0 xxx/xx Xxxxx 0 labs Data source is the CDC Center for Preparedness and Response, Division of State and Local Readiness, 2015 data: July 1, 2014 – June 30, 2015 (Budget Period 3), 2016 data: July 1, 2015 – June 30, 2016 (Budget Period 4), 2017 data: July 1, 2016 – June 30, 2017 (Budget Period 5). CDC has identified four additional methods for Xxxxx 0 xxxxxxxxxxxx xxx Xxxxx 0 xxxxxxxxxxxx. A successful demonstration of these testing methods (four methods for Level 1 and up to two methods for Level 2) indicates ongoing proficiency. Testing for additional methods is optional for Level 2 laboratories. Result of LRN-C exercise to collect, package, and ship samples Data source is the CDC Center for Preparedness and Response, Division of State and Local Read...
Public Health Laboratory Testing. Public health agencies must ensure their jurisdictions have the ability to quickly, safely, and accurately perform laboratory testing on suspected Ebola virus specimens as well as manage any surges of specimen testing and analysis. Laboratory testing must be conducted according to CDC’s Interim Guidance for Specimen Collection, Transport, Testing, and Submission for Persons Under Investigation for Ebola Virus Disease in the United States or other updated guidance from CDC. Awardees should support and advance Laboratory Response Network (LRN) activities including: • 24/7/365 availability of reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing for EVD in designated LRN facilities, according to the methods and reporting requirements promulgated by CDC or LRN. • Appropriate collection and handling of hospital and other clinical laboratory specimens that require EVD testing and shipping to LRN or CDC laboratories designated for testing. • Acquiring and maintaining at least two (2) LRN-approved RT-PCR instruments that will replace the existing standard LRN instrument (ABI 7500 DX). Awardees should develop a sustainability plan for equipment purchased for this activity. • Adherence to required infection control precautions and practices, specifically for handling blood-borne pathogens, when collecting and handling specimens. Support provision of EVD training, including but not limited to laboratory safety and diagnostic methods. • Rapidly reporting Ebola test results between the laboratory, the public health department, and healthcare facilities to support public health investigations.
Public Health Laboratory Testing. Work for this capability will be addressed in future contract years.
