Biothreat Rule Out or Refer Series

Overview

Each exercise in the Biothreat Rule Out or Refer Series begins with a virtual case description and specimen. Participants select the media and tests to use. Each selection will provide images and data to interpret. Participants are required to log their interpretations as they work through the American Society for Microbiology (ASM) sentinel laboratory protocols. Each exercise is complete once a decision is made to either:

• Rule out the possibility of a biothreat agent within their laboratory, OR
• Refer the specimen to a Laboratory Response Network (LRN) reference laboratory.

Supervisors may wish to ask their staff to participate and review the resulting worksheets to document emergency response competency.

Virtual Knowledge Exercise 1

This virtual exercise provides an opportunity for microbiologists to participate in a series of three virtual case studies (samples 1–3).

Virtual Knowledge Exercise 2

This virtual exercise provides an opportunity for microbiologists to participate in a series of three virtual case studies (samples 4–6).

Virtual Knowledge Exercise 3

This virtual exercise provides an opportunity for microbiologists to participate in a series of three virtual case studies (samples 7–9).

Virtual Knowledge Exercise 4

This virtual exercise provides an opportunity for microbiologists to participate in a series of three virtual case studies (samples 10–12).

Virtual Knowledge Exercise 5

Participate in a series of three virtual case studies (samples 13–15).