Missouri Laboratory Response Network
The Missouri State Public Health Laboratory (MSPHL) provides emergency response and outreach to ensure rapid and effective laboratory services in response to public health threats and emergencies including biological, chemical, or radiological exposures; and emerging infectious disease outbreaks, whether natural or intentional in nature. The Emergency Response, Outreach and Training team of the MSPHL develops and coordinates multidisciplinary emergency response activities between various internal and external partners as they relate to public health laboratory functionality.
A main objective to that goal has been to establish the Missouri Laboratory Response Network (MOLRN). The MOLRN consists of governmental and private laboratories throughout the state that work together to improve laboratory support both in routine and emergency situations. The MOLRN is a Missouri extension of the national Laboratory Response Network (LRN) established by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to improve public health laboratory infrastructure and capabilities. MOLRN members are provided with up to date information regarding testing procedures from the CDC and Health Alerts/Advisories from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.
A yearly registration is sent to all MOLRN laboratories to ensure the most up to date contact information and testing capabilities. Member laboratories include any laboratory that can perform routine assays of human specimens for the presence of microbial agents or refer samples that may contain microbial agents or biological toxins. Laboratories that meet certain testing criteria are designated as Sentinel laboratories (for the definition of a Sentinel laboratory click here). All Missouri laboratories are at the front line for detecting public health threats caused by agents of bioterrorism or newly emerging infectious disease and create the backbone of the MOLRN.
To register your facility with the MOLRN or for questions regarding Sentinel Laboratories please contact:
Laboratory Preparedness, Education and Safety (LPES) Team
Missouri State Public Health Laboratory
101 North Chestnut Street
Jefferson City, MO 65101
SPHL.LPES@health.mo.gov
Phone: 573-751-3334
Email: SPHL.LPES@health.mo.gov