Wisconsin Clinical Laboratory Network
The Wisconsin Clinical Laboratory Network (WCLN) is a network of more than 130 hospital and clinic laboratories in Wisconsin, with the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene (WSLH) as the coordinating laboratory. The WCLN is a subset of the National Laboratory Response Network (LRN), a collaborative, voluntary system of labs that are equipped to respond quickly to acts of chemical or biological terrorism, emerging infectious diseases and other public health threats and emergencies. The WSLH provides staff at WCLN labs with training, outreach and proficiency exercises so they are best able to serve their patients and communities.
Outcomes
During the recent multi-state E. coli in spinach outbreak, Wisconsin was the first state to identify the "DNA fingerprint" of the organism that sickened nearly 200 and killed three people. Due to the close working relationship WSLH has developed with hospital and clinic labs through the WLRN and other activities, clinical labs swiftly forwarded to the WSLH E. coli isolates from ill patients. This enabled the WSLH to rapidly identify the matching "DNA fingerprints" from multiple patients and spur the national response to the outbreak.
Focus Areas
Project Leader
Carol Kirk
Wlrn Coordinator
- Department/Unit
- Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene
- School or College
- University Administration