Microbiology Lab Wins Prestigious Award

from The Children's Hospital (TCH) News, December 2005

Members of The Children’s Hospital Laboratory celebrate

winning the first-ever  “Sentry Award,” awarded by the

Colorado Laboratory Forum.

The Children’s Hospital Laboratory recently won the first-ever “Sentry Award,” awarded by the Colorado Laboratory Forum.

Children’s Microbiology Laboratory was recognized for its efforts in accurate and timely detection of biologic agents of infection, the reporting of significant lab finding and the referral of biologic pathogens and specimens. The Forum also lauded Children’s for isolating the first case of influenza this season.

The Colorado Laboratory Forum is principally made up of laboratory scientists, supervisors and managers who conduct diagnostic and related testing that may detect biologic, chemical and radiologic agents that could potentially be used in terrorist acts. This group works with the following laboratory communities: clinical, public health, veterinary, agricultural, forensic, environmental, federal partners (FDA, USDA, EPA, CDC), research and military. The group is funded by federal bio-terrorism funds and was originally assembled shortly after 9/11 to track bio-terrorism activities.

The Forum was created to insure that Colorado laboratories could rapidly, safely and accurately identify biologic agents (either naturally occurring or intentionally released) and communicate analytical information to state and federal authorities to allow them to effectively respond to public health threats and emergencies.

Once an organism is detected, the Forum reviews it and then forwards it to the Centers for Disease Control(CDC). The CDC then conducts nationwide studies on the isolates. The CDC studies groups of organisms that are of particular concern to the public, including E coli, Salmonella and influenza.

Children’s Microbiology and Virology Laboratory won this prestigious award by referring unusual and significant bacterial and viral isolates to both the state Health Department and the CDC.

“I really rely on the expertise of my staff to isolate and recognize the unusual pathogens,” said Elaine Dowell, Microbiology supervisor.

The Micro lab does a lot of teaching and training in this area to insure quality performance.

“Teamwork is what allowed us to receive this award,” Dowell said. “Collaboration between Microbiology, Epidemiology, and Infectious Disease enables us to work together as a team to diagnose children with unusual infectious diseases. Without this teamwork, we wouldn’t be able to be recognized in this way.”

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