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Updated: Feb 18, 2026

Remote Laboratory Management: Respiratory Virus Diagnostics

Remote Laboratory Management: Respiratory Virus Diagnostics

Published on: April 6, 2019

U.S. High-Level Isolation Unit Clinical Laboratory Capabilities Update.

Jocelyn J Herstein¹, Peter C Iwen^2,3, Katelyn C Jelden⁴

¹Department of Environmental, Agricultural, and Occupational Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA jocelyn.herstein@unmc.edu.

Journal of Clinical Microbiology

|November 24, 2017

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

High-level isolation units (HLIUs) in the U.S. are prepared for highly hazardous communicable diseases (HHCDs). Most HLIUs have risk analyses and decontamination procedures, but few can test within isolation rooms.

Keywords:

Ebola virus disease biocontainment diagnostic laboratory testing highly infectious disease

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Safety Precautions and Operating Procedures in an ABSL-4 Laboratory: 2. General Practices

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Area of Science:

Infectious Diseases
Public Health
Laboratory Science

Background:

In 2014, 56 U.S. hospitals were designated as High-Level Isolation Units (HLIUs) for patients with Highly Hazardous Communicable Diseases (HHCDs).
These units possess advanced infrastructure, trained staff, and laboratory capabilities crucial for managing infectious disease outbreaks.

Purpose of the Study:

To survey the clinical laboratory support capabilities of U.S. HLIUs.
To identify test menus and testing locations for safely managing HHCD patients.

Main Methods:

A survey was electronically distributed in spring 2016 to 56 U.S. HLIUs.
Data from 36 responding HLIUs were analyzed using descriptive statistics.

Main Results:

94% of HLIUs performed risk analyses for laboratory procedures and equipment.
88% had decontamination procedures for laboratory equipment.
81% could inventory and securely store HHCD patient specimens on-site.
31% could perform at least one test within the patient isolation room.

Conclusions:

HLIU laboratories require advanced preparation, including risk assessment of work practices and equipment, to manage HHCDs.
Current risk analyses may focus on Ebola virus; HLIUs must be prepared to adapt procedures for other HHCDs.