A basic sentinel laboratory has the following characteristics:
- Certified by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for subspecialty within the specialty of microbiology
- Accredited by Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (CLIA) or a deemed status agency
- Has policies and procedures in place for the referral of diagnostic specimens to an advanced sentinel laboratory
- Has policies and procedures in place for the direct referral of suspicious isolates to an appropriate LRN reference laboratory
