title: [The National Reference Centres and Reference Laboratories. Importance and tasks].
abstract: Since 1995, the German Federal Ministry for Health and Social Security funds National Reference Centres (NRC) for the laboratory surveillance of important pathogens and syndromes. Which pathogens or syndromes are selected to be covered by a NRC depends on their epidemiological relevance, the special diagnostic tools, problems with antimicrobial resistance and necessary infection control measures. Currently, there are 15 NRC, which are appointed for a period of 3 years (currently from January 2005 through December 2007). Towards the end of their appointment all NRC are evaluated by a group of specialists. The assessment of their achievements is guided by a catalogue of tasks for the NRC. In addition to the NRC, a total of 50 laboratories are appointed which provide specialist expertise for additional pathogens in order to have a broad range of pathogens for which specialist laboratories are available. Their predominant task is to give advice and support for special diagnostic problems. Both NRC and the specialist laboratories are important parts of the network for infectious disease epidemiology.
authors.affiliation: Robert Koch-Institut, Berlin. laudeg@rki.de
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Laude
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ammon
mesh_terms: D000047:Academies and Institutes / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003140:Communicable Disease Control / Q000379:methods* / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003141:Communicable Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D018563:Disease Notification / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000517:prevention & control; D035082:Federal Government; D005858:Germany; D006077:Government Agencies / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D007753:Laboratories / Q000458:organization & administration*; D009937:Organizational Objectives; D011159:Population Surveillance / Q000379:methods*; D011634:Public Health / Q000592:standards; D011640:Public Policy; D012015:Reference Standards