Description

CLSI GP36-A (R2019) – Planning for Laboratory Operations During a Disaster; Approved Guideline, GP36AE

This document provides guidance for laboratory leadership and personnel to develop, implement, andsustain effective emergency operations plans (EOPs) that pertain to all hazards (eg, emerging publichealth threats, natural and manmade disasters, unexpected system failures) and support operations throughthe entire laboratory path of workflow (preexamination, examination, and postexamination). Thediscussion of the examination phase focuses on general principles and not on specific diagnostic tests.

General aspects of this document could pertain to hospital laboratories, independent referral laboratories,and public health laboratories (PHLs). Additional emphasis is given on how to interact with governmentalLaboratory Response Networks (LRNs). This document should be used as a guideline to develop a localor site-specific EOP.

Laboratory analytical aspects involving biothreat incidents are not addressed. Although certain aspects ofthe guideline focus on emergency operational challenges confronting hospital-based laboratories,guidance for clinical laboratory preparedness for referral (independent) laboratories is also provided.