Part 1 - PulseNet International

STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR WRITING STANDARD OPERATING
PROCEDURES
CODE: PNG01
Effective Date:
05 09 05
26. PulseNet laboratory protocols: Protocols or standard operating procedures followed by all
laboratories participating in the PulseNet program in order to submit DNA fingerprint patterns for
inclusion in the National Database
27. Troubleshoot: To investigate a problem and come up with solutions
28. Surge capacity: Ability to provide additional testing when workload exceeds existing capacity
29. Bundle file: A file with a .bdl extension that is produced in BioNumerics and contains the analysis
of at least one lane of a gel image and may include specified isolate demographic information
30. Foodborne disease epidemiologist: An individual who studies and/or investigates the transmission
and control of foodborne diseases
31. Outbreak: A rise in disease rates as a result of an association or exposure to a specific vehicle
32. Proficiency testing: An annual assessment of the quality of the work being performed in PulseNet
participating laboratories. For each pathogen, proficiency testing includes two parts – a “TIFF sent by
CDC” and a “TIFF generated by the participating laboratory (i.e., in-house TIFF)”
33. Proficiency testing packet: A package sent to the PulseNet participant with the results of his/her PT
evaluation. Includes a hard copy of the cover letter, report, in-house TIFF, and submission e-mail
34. TIFF sent by CDC: This is a part of the proficiency testing program where all laboratories analyze
the same TIFF sent to them by CDC
35. TIFF generated by the participating laboratory, also called the “in-house TIFF”: A part of the
proficiency testing program where laboratories run a gel and produce a TIFF of the gel that contains
the Salmonella Braenderup H9812 standards and the proficiency testing strain restricted with the
primary and secondary enzymes. The TIFF is analyzed and submitted to the on-line database
36. Proficiency Testing survey: An annual survey consists of two rounds of testing, a fall round and a
spring round
37. Comparison list: A list of analyzed lanes from comparison TIFFs that is saved in BioNumerics and
used to compare to the analysis of the submitted TIFF by the certification file evaluator and the
analysis of the submitter in the certification bundle file
38. Gel certified: Formerly “TIFF certified.” An individual or laboratory that is certified in laboratory
methods for PFGE and image acquisition
39. Analysis certified: An individual who is certified in BioNumerics gel analysis
40. Certification files: TIFF and/or bundle files submitted by PulseNet participants for certification
evaluation
41. Certification file evaluator: An individual who evaluates certification files
42. TIFF quality: The grading of the appearance and ease of analysis of a TIFF according to the
PulseNet TIFF Grading Guidelines. This is a main component of the evaluation of a TIFF submitted
for certification
43. Gel analysis assessment: The grading of the whole analysis of a TIFF, including gel and lane
definition, normalization, and band marking, according to the PulseNet Gel Analysis Guidelines. This
is a main component of the evaluation of a bundle file submitted for certification
44. Certification file reviewer: An individual who reviews and signs off on the certification reports
submitted by the certification file evaluator
45. Comparison TIFFs: One or more TIFFs run by CDC for a specific pathogen for use in comparing
PFGE patterns and band resolution against submitted certification TIFFs. Comparison TIFFs can also
be a group of certification TIFFs submitted by several laboratories to monitor PFGE patterns and
band resolution over several submitting laboratories. The latter is most easily accomplished through a
saved list in BioNumerics
46. APHL: Association of Public Health Laboratories
47. Host lab: Term used to describe laboratory hosting a training course
48. OHS: Office of Health and Safety
VERSION: REPLACED BY: AUTHORIZED BY:
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