Infection preventionists should look at the laboratory setting from two perspectives. First, laboratorians are at high risk of occupational infections, and there must be specific policies and procedures in place to protect them from organisms in their unique environment. Second, the laboratory is an essential partner of infection preventionists in assisting in the detection and characterization of pathogens, not only for healthcare-associated infections but also for organisms associated with research, community, or bioterrorism outbreaks.