3.2 National reference laboratory

The second component of a national AMR surveillance system is a national reference laboratory or NRL. The function of the NRL is to promote good microbiology laboratory practice by compiling and disseminating standard methods (maintaining quality standards) to participating surveillance sites. It may also perform confirmatory testing, for example, to confirm new or unusual resistance patterns, and support surveillance sites by providing training.

Different sectors may have their own national reference laboratories; for example, in the UK, the national reference laboratory for healthcare-associated bacteria is the AMR and Healthcare Associated Infections (AMRHAI) laboratory, while the National Reference Laboratory for Food Microbiology monitors AMR in food, and the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) is responsible for AMR surveillance activities in animals. The NRL(s) and NCC should work together to maintain a standardised approach to reporting and verifying laboratory results.