|
|||
|
Antimicrobial Stewardship and the Impact of MICs on Patient
Outcomes Live Event: Wednesday, January 29, 2025 | 1:00 - 2:00 PM ET P.A.C.E.® credit available until July 29, 2025 | Florida Laboratory Credit available |
|
||||||||||
Antimicrobial resistance continues to be a significant global health
threat. Delayed or inaccurate lab results could not only contribute to
the further development of resistance but could lead to the mistreatment
and potential mortality of patients with multi-drug-resistant
infections. The lack of successful antimicrobial and diagnostic
stewardship programs can exacerbate the overuse of broad-spectrum and
toxic antibiotics. Limited access to diagnostics that can deliver
accurate minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) results for highly
effective new-generation drugs can lead to failed therapy, adverse
effects, increased costs, and increased potential for patient mortality. The webinar will review the positive impact effective antimicrobial stewardship can have on managing the development of resistance. The presenter will also discuss how dosing new drugs based on accurate MIC data can help reduce costs and improve patient outcomes. This webinar will: • Examine the ways in which antibiotic stewardship can help healthcare providers deliver optimal care and reduce unnecessary antibiotic exposure risk • Explain how using institutional data can guide empiric therapy for multi-drug-resistant infections • Discuss the importance of receiving timely and accurate organism identification and susceptibility data when conducting daily antibiotic stewardship activities and treating aggressive, complicated infections • Describe how effective stewardship can reduce the development of resistance and improve patient outcomes ![]() |
Presenter: Jerod Nagel, PharmD, BCIDP Clinical Pharmacist, Infectious Diseases Clinical Assistant Professor, Director Infectious Disease Residency University of Michigan Health Systems ![]() Dr. Nagel has served as a leader for several organizations, including the Antimicrobial Stewardship in Cancer Consortium; the antimicrobial subcommittee of the Infectious Disease Society of America; and the Vizient Antimicrobial Stewardship committee. He has also been named the Society of Infectious Disease Pharmacists Clinician of the Year. |
||||||||||
Optimizing Diagnostic Testing with Quality Controls and
Temperature Monitoring Live Event: Tuesday, December 10, 2024 | 1:00 - 2:00 PM ET P.A.C.E.® credit available until June 10, 2025 | Florida Laboratory Credit available |
|
||||||||||
Molecular diagnostics are an integral tool in the detection of
infectious diseases. Despite dramatic advances in laboratory technology,
many patients continue to receive inaccurate, incomplete, or delayed
diagnoses. Clinical laboratories performing infectious disease testing
are challenged to improve test performance and patient-sample
temperature monitoring to decrease testing errors and enhance diagnostic
speed and accuracy. In this webinar, you’ll learn how quality controls offer a productive method for identifying, evaluating, and correcting testing flaws due to system failure, environmental conditions, or operator performance - before results are reported. We’ll also discuss quality controls’ ability to help fulfill regulatory requirements and examine the role of temperature measurement and monitoring instruments in safeguarding patient samples. This webinar will: • Assess the critical role of quality controls • Identify attributes of effective quality controls • Evaluate quality control solutions for clinical laboratories • Apply certified measurement and monitoring instruments ![]() |
Presenters: Cindy Gisler Product Manager at Traceable ![]() Ms. Gisler holds a BS in Medical Technology from the University of Texas Medical Branch and a BA in Biology from Trinity University. Jessica Van Allen, PhD Technical Support Lead at ZeptoMetrix ![]() Dr. Van Allen received her BS in Chemistry from Nazareth College and her PhD in Biochemistry from the University of Rochester. |
||||||||||
A Practical Approach to Managing Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic
Syndrome Live Event: Tuesday, December 3, 2024 | 1:00 - 2:00 PM ET P.A.C.E.® credit available until June 3, 2025 | Florida Laboratory Credit available |
|
||||||||||
Cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome is an emerging and
critical health concern due to its high prevalence and association with
chronic kidney disease (CKD) and cardiovascular events. In this webinar,
we’ll focus on identifying individuals at high risk for CKD by utilizing
estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and albumin-to-creatinine
ratio (ACR) testing to achieve accurate risk stratification. You’ll learn how to employ risk stratification techniques, including CKD heatmaps, to predict kidney and cardiovascular outcomes. This approach facilitates targeted patient education and guides individualized interventions for kidney and cardioprotection. We’ll also define essential roles within primary care and nephrology and highlight practical strategies for implementing CKM-focused screening and management in routine practice. This webinar will: • Discuss the detection and risk-stratification of CKD with eGFR and ACR testing • Assess kidney and cardiovascular risk using heatmaps and prediction equations • Evaluate patient education and guide kidney and cardioprotective interventions • Examine the Integration of CKM-focused screening and management into routine practice ![]() |
Presenter: Joseph A. Vassalotti, MD Clinical Professor Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai ![]() Dr. Vassalottii has led collaborations to develop the Kidney Health Evaluation for Adults with Diabetes quality measure to improve evidence-based CKD testing with eGFR and albuminuria and guide detection, risk stratification, and interventions proportional to risk. He has served as principal investigator for an AARP-funded Quality Measures Innovation Grant to analyze CKD testing interactions with detection, evidence-based interventions, and health equity. He is also a co-investigator for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) CKD Surveillance Project. |
||||||||||
The Microbiology Lab’s Role in Managing Critical Cases Live Event: Thursday, October 31, 2024 | 1:00 - 2:00 PM ET P.A.C.E.® credit available until May 1, 2025 | Florida Laboratory Credit available |
|
||||||||||
How accurate MIC results can help manage critical patients with
multidrug-resistant organism infections The microbiology laboratory plays a critical role in the acute management of patients. The selection of the method to determine Antimicrobial Susceptibility results and specifically MIC’s is crucial. It is of particular significance in determining the appropriate treatment for critically ill patients with severe infections. The knowledge of and extended capacity for testing novel antimicrobial agents is of specific importance. Delayed or inaccurate results can lead to the mistreatment, complications with and the potential mortality of patients with multi-drug resistant infections. Empiric therapy may be inappropriate due to a lack of treatment options. Toxic drugs like Colistin and Vancomycin are often used encouraging spread of resistance and complications. Antimicrobial Stewardship Teams are in place to help implement more effective strategies, but in the absence of a diagnostic tool that provides accurate MIC data guiding treatment options, poor practice can persist. The inability to identify effective treatment options including those involving new generation antimicrobials can have a devastating impact on patient outcomes. We will review three challenging cases where critically ill patients illustrating the role the microbiology lab plays in management of critical cases. The knowledge of and having the capacity to test new antimicrobial agents can have a significant impact on the patient outcomes when dealing with multi-drug resistant infections. This webinar will: • Restate the importance of the correct antibiotic selection for critically ill patients and the risk of poor outcomes • Discuss the utility of multiple data sources including antibiograms and combination antibiograms in the selection of effective treatment options • Describe the ways in which new generation therapeutics and accurate MIC results can help manage critical patients • Explain the importance of accurate results and breakpoints when treating critically ill patients ![]() |
Presenter: James A. McKinnell, MD Associate Professor of Medicine David Geffen School of Medicine University of California, Los Angeles Division of Infectious Disease LA-Biomed at Harbor UCLA Medical Center ![]() Dr. James McKinnell is an Associate Professor of Medicine at the David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles. He is also a member of the Infectious Disease Clinical Outcome Research Unit (ID-CORE) and the Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-UCLA. He is a nationally recognized infectious disease specialist with specific research interests related to the clinical management and prevention of healthcare-associated infections. He has published over 40 papers, many with emphasis on optimal use of antibiotics and antimicrobial resistance within the community. |
||||||||||
Preparing Your Laboratory for the CLIA 2024 Proficiency Testing
Changes Live Event: Wednesday, October 23, 2024 | 1:00 - 2:00 PM ET P.A.C.E.® credit available until April 23, 2025 | Florida Laboratory Credit available |
|
||||||||||
Revisions to the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA)
proficiency testing regulations that went into effect on July 11, 2024,
are driving change in today’s labs. The updates include 29 newly
regulated analytes and tighter proficiency testing acceptable limits for
many currently regulated analytes - along with changes to grading and
reporting. In this webinar, we’ll examine these shifts more closely and determine actionable steps laboratorians can take to comply. We'll also discuss the essentials of proficiency testing and how to avoid noncompliance during CLIA inspections. Plus, we will address your specific needs with a Q&A session following the presentation. This webinar will: • Summarize the historical aspects and other provisions of the CLIA Proficiency Testing Final Rule • Describe the finalized CLIA requirements pertaining to clinical chemistry and immunoassays, including acceptable limits and total allowable error • Discuss applicable steps laboratorians can take to adhere to CLIA regulatory changes • Apply essential best practices to avoid noncompliance in proficiency testing and CLIA inspections ![]() |
Presenter: Bremansu Osa-Andrews, PhD, DABCC, NRCC Clinical Assistant Professor of Pathology, Immunology, and Laboratory Medicine; Medical Director of Core Lab Chemistry, Urinalysis, and Immunology; and Medical Director of the Endocrinology Lab at the University of Florida ![]() Dr. Bremansu Osa-Andrews is a board-certified clinical chemist-diplomate of the American Board of Clinical Chemistry (ABCC) and the National Registry of Certified Chemists (NRCC). As an experienced College of American Pathologists (CAP) inspector, he has a profound understanding of CAP/CLIA standards and requirements for clinical laboratories, along with a background in quality assurance, quality control, and regulatory compliance. |
||||||||||
Generating Flawless Slides for Digital Pathology Live Event: Thursday, October 17, 2024 | 1:00 - 2:00 PM ET P.A.C.E.® credit available until April 17, 2025 | Florida Laboratory Credit available |
|
||||||||||
Improperly prepared stained slide sections can lead to delays and higher
costs in histology labs. Learn how you can find, fix, and avoid workflow
errors to produce slides that help improve scanning efficiency, shorten
turnaround times, and accelerate accurate diagnoses. This webinar will: • Recognize challenges that affect stained section quality • Identify issues associated with the embedding and sectioning workflow steps • Evaluate detailed examples of glass slides that create scanning problems • Apply best practices for printing scannable barcodes ![]() |
Presenter: Andrew Lisowski, MS, HTL(ASCP) Senior Technical Content Manager Epredia ![]() Andrew Lisowski has nearly 30 years of experience in histology and histotechnology. He attended veterinary school and earned his master’s degree in molecular biology. He has worked in histology, IHC and ISH labs, cell culture lab, performed in-vitro and in-vivo toxicology assays, and was a member of a necropsy team. |
||||||||||
Amplicon-Based Semiconductor Sequencing in Biomarker Cancer
Testing Live Event: Wednesday, October 9, 2024 | 12:00 - 1:00 PM ET P.A.C.E.® credit available until April 9, 2025 | Florida Laboratory Credit available |
|
||||||||||
Doing More with Smaller Tissue Samples Traditional next-generation sequencing (NGS) methods, such as hybrid capture, often require large tissue samples, posing challenges in clinical scenarios, particularly oncology, where obtaining sufficient material can be difficult. These limitations can lead to diagnostic delays and suboptimal treatment decisions that adversely affect patients and increase costs for healthcare institutions. In this webinar, explore the advantages of amplicon-based semiconductor sequencing, a technology that allows for the successful sequencing of smaller tissue samples. Learn how this approach can overcome the constraints of traditional methods, improve diagnostic accuracy, expedite treatment decisions, and enhance overall care. Gain insights into the practical implementation of amplicon-based semiconductor sequencing and discover how it can streamline clinical workflows and deliver better patient outcomes. This webinar will: • Examine the constraints of traditional sequencing techniques such as hybrid capture • Clarify the mechanisms and advantages of amplicon-based semiconductor sequencing, including its principles, methodologies, and more • Evaluate the practical applications of amplicon-based semiconductor sequencing in clinical settings and its impact on clinical and research outcomes • Manage the integration of amplicon-based semiconductor sequencing into existing clinical workflows and research protocols ![]() |
Presenter: Allison M. Cushman-Vokoun, MD, PhD, FCAP Director of the Division of Diagnostic Molecular Pathology and Human Genetics and Medical Director of the Molecular Diagnostics and Personalized Medicine Laboratory at the University of Nebraska Medical Center ![]() As a professor at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, Dr. Cushman-Vokoun oversees molecular biomarker test development in molecular oncology, with expertise in next-generation sequencing in solid tumor and hematopoietic malignancies. She serves as an expert on many national pathology society committees and is highly involved in molecular pathology education at the local and national levels. |
||||||||||
The Impact of Updated Guidelines and Self-collection on Cervical
Cancer Screening Live Event: Thursday, September 26, 2024 | 1:00 - 2:00 PM ET P.A.C.E.® credit available until March 26, 2025 | Florida Laboratory Credit available |
|
||||||||||
Cervical cancer is the 4th most common cancer among women globally and
95% of cases are due to an HPV infection. Most molecular FDA-cleared HPV
tests report a small number of individual genotypes, with the majority
of them combined into a single pooled result which can impact patient
care and clinical decision making. Additionally, socio-economic and
societal barriers exist that lead to disparities in HPV testing leading
to large numbers of under or unscreened populations and a
disproportionate impact of cervical cancer on these communities. This webinar will discuss how HPV genotypes in the population have changed since the introduction of the HPV vaccines as well as how to adapt to this new paradigm. We will delve into the latest advancements in HPV testing and ASCCP guideline updates for cervical cancer screening and explore how HPV extended genotyping can be used to optimize patient risk stratification and enable HPV persistence tracking. We will also discuss the value of self-collection in a healthcare setting as a less invasive testing option to help improve access to cervical cancer screening. We will examine how these recent advancements are reshaping screening and management strategies to bring value to clinical decision-making and patient care. This webinar will: • Describe the changing prevalence of HPV high-risk genotypes due to vaccination • Identify recent changes in ASCCP Guidelines • Examine the importance of extended genotyping for patient risk stratification and management • Discuss the impact of FDA-approved HPV tests with self-collection in a healthcare setting ![]() |
Presenter: Danielle Clement, M.Ed, MSN, WHNP-BC, AGNP-C Women’s Health Clinical Manager, BD ![]() Danielle Clement is a Women’s Health Clinical Manager for BD and a double board-certified women’s health and adult gerontology nurse practitioner. She holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in nursing from Duke University, a certificate in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility from the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), a colposcopy certification from the American Society of Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology (ASCCP) and is credentialed as an HIV Specialist with the American Academy of HIV Medicine (AAHIVM). |
||||||||||
Antigen Testing: How Rapid Results Improve Patient Outcomes Live Event: Thursday, September 12, 2024 | 12:00 - 1:00 PM ET P.A.C.E.® credit available until March 12, 2025 | Florida Laboratory Credit available |
|
||||||||||
In this webinar, Dr. Young will discuss the critical role(s) and value
of rapid antigen testing at the point-of-care. More specifically, Dr.
Young will explain the relevance of rapid results to better guide
treatment and management decisions in urgent care and other outpatient
clinical settings. He will also discuss lessons learned from last year's
respiratory season and highlight specific steps that healthcare
providers can be taking now to better prepare themselves for the
2024-2025 respiratory season. This webinar will: • Examine the differences between and benefits of molecular and antigen testing • Identify the benefit of Combination Rapid Antigen Tests during respiratory season • Discuss the reasons why testing is so critical at the point of care ![]() |
Presenter: Stephen Young, PhD D(ABMM) Medical Director TriCore Research Institute’s Research and Clinical Trials Department ![]() Dr. Stephen Young is a Medical Director for TriCore Research Institute’s Research and Clinical Trials Department. He is currently the Principal Investigator on 40 FDA clinical trials, primarily for SARS-CoV-2 EUA detection assays. Although most of the SARS-CoV-2 trials are still EUA, recent trials are switching to multiplex respiratory virus detection. |
||||||||||
Using Clinical Breakpoints to Improve Antimicrobial Resistance
Detection Live Event: Wednesday, August 28, 2024 | 1:00 - 2:00 PM ET P.A.C.E.® credit available until February 28, 2025 | Florida Laboratory Credit available |
|
||||||||||
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is an urgent global health threat.
Antimicrobial resistance is detected by clinical laboratories that
perform antimicrobial susceptibility tests (AST) against bacteria
isolated from clinical cultures. AST results are interpreted using
clinical breakpoints, which are updated periodically by standards
development organizations and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
(FDA). Breakpoint changes can benefit patients and public health only if
adopted in a timely manner by diagnostic companies that develop and
market AST products and/or clinical laboratories that perform AST. Currently, the United States (U.S.) regulatory framework does not compel laboratories or diagnostic companies to keep up to date with evolving AST breakpoints. This results in serious patient safety concerns and hampers the ability to track and contain the worldwide threat of antimicrobial resistance. This webinar is an encore presentation of a prior highly regarded session. It will review results from the recent Open Forum Infectious Diseases publication Raising the Bar: Improving Antimicrobial Resistance Detection by Clinical Laboraotires by Ensuring Use of Current Breakpoints. The new College of American Pathologists (CAP) requirements to ensure breakpoint adherence will be discussed and practical examples to address these new requirements will be provided. By updating clinical breakpoints, we can ensure proper patient safety and help detect antimicrobial resistance to contain the threat. This webinar will: • Define the ongoing pandemic of antimicrobial resistance • Discuss how we can address the ongoing pandemic in the Clinical Microbiology Laboratory • Demonstrate the need to apply updated clinical breakpoints to interpret antimicrobial susceptibility testing results • Review practical examples on how to update clinical breakpoints to interpret antimicrobial susceptibility testing results for patient care ![]() |
Presenter: Patricia (Trish) J. Simner, PhD, D(ABMM) Associate Professor of Pathology Director of Bacteriology and Infectious Disease Sequencing Laboratories Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine ![]() Dr. Trish Simner is an Associate Professor of Pathology and Infectious Diseases at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and the Director of the Medical Bacteriology and Infectious Disease Sequencing Laboratories at the Johns Hopkins Hospital. She completed her PhD at the University of Manitoba in Manitoba, Canada and a two year Clinical Microbiology Fellowship at the Mayo Clinic. She is widely regarded internationally as an expert in the field of mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance and antimicrobial susceptibility testing. |
||||||||||
Pharmacogenetics in Practice: Case Studies & Considerations for
Effective Implementation Live Event: Thursday, August 22, 2024 | 1:00 - 2:00 PM ET P.A.C.E.® credit available until February 22, 2025 | Florida Laboratory Credit available |
|
||||||||||
Pharmacogenetics (PGx) has potential to achieve the practice of
precision medicine, but challenges exist. Issues such as lack of
provider/patient education, absence of clinical decision support, and
unclear reimbursement are significant barriers to the implementation of
PGx in a scalable manner. In this webinar, several case studies will be
examined that highlight the process of evaluating PGx reports and how
they can be used in a clinical context. Furthermore, important
considerations for providers for the effective implementation and
scaling of PGx in the clinic will be discussed. This webinar will: • Describe how PGx reports can be reviewed • Discuss the limitations of PGx reports and how they can be used in a clinical context • Identify important factors for effective implementation of PGx in a clinical setting • Examine the existing challenges to scale PGx as a precision medicine tool and ways to address these challenges ![]() |
Presenter: Jeremy Stuart, Ph.D, MPH (NRCC) Chief Scientific Officer and Laboratory Director Precision Genetics Greenville, SC ![]() Dr. Jeremy Stuart has extensive experience in the life science industry. He specializes in commercial operations, technology development and transfer, manufacturing design, start up and analytical validation of laboratory developed tests (LDTs). He currently serves as the Chief Scientific Officer for Precision Genetics and serves as their Laboratory Director. |
||||||||||
Using Molecular GI Testing to Improve Laboratory Efficiency and
Patient Management Live Event: Wednesday, July 17, 2024 | 1:00 - 2:00 PM ET P.A.C.E.® credit available until January 17, 2025 | Florida Laboratory Credit available |
|
||||||||||
Gastrointestinal infections challenge the healthcare system, creating a
major burden for the hospital, both operationally and financially.
Traditional diagnostic methods such as culture, microscopy and
immunoassays come with limitations that potentially impact laboratory
operations, clinical decision-making and patient outcomes. The impact of implementing molecular testing methods for GI pathogens can offer multiple benefits compared to traditional methods. These could include differences in turnaround time, positivity rates, sensitivity, laboratorian hands on time, patient length of stay, and antimicrobial usage. In this webinar, you will hear from an experienced clinical microbiologist on their selection criteria for molecular panels for GI testing, the impact it has had on their laboratory and patients, and the role diagnostic stewardship plays in their laboratory testing practices. This webinar will: • Discuss the impact of targeted enteric panels on laboratory workflow and patient management • Review considerations for diagnostic stewardship in molecular GI testing • Identify the factors that lead to selection of different molecular panels ![]() |
Presenter: Jennifer Dien Bard PhD, D(ABMM), FIDSA, FAAM Professor of Pathology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California Director, Clinical Microbiology and Virology Laboratories, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Children’s Hospital Los Angeles ![]() Dr. Dien Bard is a Professor of Pathology with Clinical Scholar designation in the Department of Pathology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California. She is the Director of the Clinical Microbiology and Virology Laboratories in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. |
||||||||||
The Impact of Antimicrobial Stewardship and Accurate
Susceptibility Results on Patients with Sepsis Live Event: Wednesday, June 26, 2024 | 1:00 - 2:00 PM ET P.A.C.E.® credit available until December 26, 2024 | Florida Laboratory Credit available |
|
||||||||||
Sepsis is a leading cause of morbidity, mortality resulting in more than
250,000 deaths in the US annually and is a major driver impacting health
system costs. Current rapid diagnostics do not adapt well to providing
an accurate diagnosis and prognosis of acute infections and sepsis.
Clinical decisions including timing and dosage of therapy and
level-of-care decisions rely on understanding etiology and implications
of a clinical presentation. Early treatment with appropriate antibiotics has been shown to reduce morbidity and mortality in cases of bacterial sepsis. However, an estimated 20% of hospitalized patients treated with parenteral antibiotics experiences an adverse drug event and more than 2 million people experience antibiotic-resistant infections each year. Indiscriminate and prolonged use of antibiotics can lead to antimicrobial resistance. Adherence to effective stewardship practices and rapid, accurate assessment and treatment of patients with acute infections and sepsis can significantly impact the probability of survival. Effective diagnostic solutions could improve management of patients with suspected acute infections and sepsis, thereby lessening the overall burden of these conditions on patients and the healthcare system. Access to newer antibiotics and diagnostics that can provide accurate MICs for effective treatment of critical patients can reduce length of stay, adverse effects and overall costs to the system while significantly improving patient outcomes. This webinar will: • Evaluate testing options for the rapid identification of sepsis and antibiotic-resistant infections • Demonstrate the need for new therapeutics to accompany accurate diagnostics to reduce cost and risk • Demonstrate the impact of effective therapy on survival rates of patients with acute infections and sepsis • Impact of effective stewardship practices on mortality and how accurate laboratory data can guide appropriate decision making ![]() |
Presenter: Nathan Ledeboer, PhD Professor of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Chief, Clinical Pathology, Medical College of Wisconsin & Associate Chief Medical Officer for Laboratory Services Froedtert Health ![]() Dr. Ledeboer is the director of medical and technical activities for laboratory services at Froedtert and the Medical College of Wisconsin. In this role, he oversees development and implementation of new assays, sign out of all testing performed in these laboratories, and consults with physician colleagues regarding test results and selection. |
||||||||||
The Anti-Xa Assay: Therapeutic Monitoring of Heparin Live Event: Thursday, June 20, 2024 | 12:00 - 1:00 PM ET P.A.C.E.® credit available until December 20, 2024 | Florida Laboratory Credit available |
|
||||||||||
Heparin is an anticoagulant used to prevent and treat blood clots in
at-risk patients. Heparin exists in two forms- unfractionated heparin
(UFH) and low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH)- both of which
considerably accelerate the inactivation of coagulation factor Xa by
antithrombin. Heparin assays are often referred to as anti-Xa assays for
this reason. The anticoagulant activity of UFH is somewhat
unpredictable. Conversely, LMWH anticoagulant activity is more
consistent and predictable. Traditional monitoring of UFH has been done using the APPT assay. However, the assay is fought with pre- and post-analytical and analytical variations. Alternative methods may need to be used to monitor the variable and unpredictable nature of UFH. Therefore, close laboratory monitoring to guide dosing adjustments is often needed. This presentation is designed for laboratorians who are interested in learning more about heparin monitoring and exploring utilization of anti-Xa assays in their institutions. This webinar will: • Describe the anticoagulant effects of heparin • Explain the methods used to determine heparin concentration • Determine the limitations of the anti-Xa assay • Formulate an approach for conversion to utilizing anti-Xa assay for anticoagulant monitoring ![]() |
Presenter: Dr. John V. Mitsios, PhD Medical and Scientific Affairs Medical Sciences Partner Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics ![]() Dr. Mitsios graduated from the University of Ioannina, Greece with a PhD in Chemistry. Upon completion of his doctoral thesis, he then went on to complete a post-doctoral fellowship at the University of California, San Diego. Dr. Mitsios then transitioned to the world of Clinical Chemistry and completed a fellowship at Washington University in St. Louis, MO. |
||||||||||
Sample Preparation for Clinical LC-MS Assays Live Event: Thursday, June 13, 2024 | 1:00 - 2:00 PM ET P.A.C.E.® credit available until December 13, 2024 | Florida Laboratory Credit available |
|
||||||||||
Biological samples used for clinical testing must be appropriately
prepared to reduce complexity and potential system contaminants prior to
analysis by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Inadequate
sample preparation will adversely affect clinical testing by reducing
the accuracy and precision of results, as well as increasing the
instrument downtime and need for maintenance and repair. This has
implications for both the quality of patient care and also the financial
health of the institution where testing takes place. This webinar will provide a discussion of appropriate sample preparation techniques for clinical LC-MS methods based on the clinical application and sample type. The session will encompass various sample preparation approaches used for LC-MS (liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry) assays. It will also highlight the importance of sample processing in the clinical laboratory environment and illustrate the “fit for purpose” application of processing techniques in clinical mass spectrometry. This webinar will: • Describe various pain points and challenges in clinical LC-MS • Discuss the impact of various specimen preparation approaches on LC-MS assay performance • Implement a fit-for-purpose approach to selection of a specimen preparation approach in their laboratory practice • Describe alternative specimen and microsample types and the limitations that must be considered for specimen preparation ![]() |
Presenter: William Clarke, PhD, MBA, DABCC Professor of Pathology Deputy Director, Quality and Regulatory Affairs; Pathology Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine ![]() Dr. Clarke received his Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry from the University of Nebraska in Lincoln in 2000, followed by a post-doctoral fellowship in Clinical Chemistry at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, ending in 2002. In addition, he received an MBA focused on medical services management from the Carey School of Business at Johns Hopkins in 2007. |
||||||||||
Importance of Microscope Slides and Coverglass in the Laboratory Live Event: Thursday, May 30, 2024 | 1:00 - 2:00 PM ET P.A.C.E.® credit available until November 30, 2024 | Florida Laboratory Credit available |
|
||||||||||
Microscope slides and coverglass are used in many parts of the lab while
knowledge of how these items are made and the technical properties they
have is limited. By not understanding the properties of the key
component of many tests in the lab, registrants may not know what’s
causing some issues during their testing. Due to the attributes of
different types of slides, it can cause different adherence of samples
to the slide and influence the turnaround time and possibly the results
of patient tests. During the webinar, registrants will learn how the slides are manufactured, what types of adhesion chemistry are available in the market and how the various slide types can help them improve their workflow and results for patients. This webinar will: • Explain glass manufacturing process • Identify what makes adhesion properties on slides • Assess utility of different types of slides • Discuss importance of coverglass specifications ![]() |
Presenter: Rachel Rosenblum Sr. Regional Marketing Manager, Epredia ![]() Rachel has over 13 years of experience in the biotech industry. She is a Marketing manager for Epredia with portfolios that include microscope slides and coverglass, slide and cassette labeling equipment along with other histology consumables and instrumentation. She also has expertise in precision medicine, chemiluminescence, data management software and cybersecurity for instrument platforms. |
||||||||||
Advancing Urgent Care POC to Combat the Ongoing STI Epidemic Live Event: Tuesday, May 28, 2024 | 1:00 - 2:00 PM ET P.A.C.E.® credit available until November 28, 2024 | Florida Laboratory Credit available |
|
||||||||||
Most Chlamydia trachomatis/Neisseria gonorrhoeae (CT/NG) testing in
urgent care involves send out tests that can take 2-7 days for results.
This forces urgent care providers to make treatment decisions without
the benefit of test results. Rapid POC CT/NG testing allows providers to make informed decisions about when to treat with antibiotics and when NOT to treat. It will also provide greater opportunity for patient education and partner expedited therapy. National screening rates under CDC guidelines are poor (<50%), and rapid POC CT/NG testing has potential to effect an improvement in screening. This webinar will examine key challenges with STI testing today in Urgent care including patients lost to follow-up, implications of overtreatment/undertreatment of STI, review applicable CDC STI Treatment & Screening Guidelines, discuss sexual health education strategies for STIs in young people, examine the importance of timely STI diagnosis and appropriate treatment, discuss definitive/directed antibiotic therapy vs empiric/presumptive treatment, and evaluate the implications of today’s STI testing to Antibiotic Stewardship. This webinar will: • Examine key challenges with STI testing today in Urgent care including patients lost to follow-up, implications of overtreatment/undertreatment of STI • Review applicable CDC STI Treatment & Screening Guidelines • Discuss sexual health education strategies for STIs in young people • Examine the importance of timely STI diagnosis and appropriate treatment • Discuss definitive/directed antibiotic therapy vs empiric/presumptive treatment • Evaluate the implications of today’s STI testing to Antibiotic Stewardship ![]() |
Presenter: Glenn Harnett, MD CEO No Resistance Consulting Group, LLC ![]() Dr. Harnett has spent over 20 years as a "boots on the ground" clinician, spending 10 years as an emergency physician before establishing himself as a nationally respected physician and key opinion leader in urgent care. In addition, he has been an active author and researcher - designing trials, writing trial protocols, and acting as a principal investigator for numerous clinical trials conducted in the urgent care setting. After spending 5 years as the Chief Medical Officer for American Family Care as they grew from 17 to 185 clinics, he founded No Resistance Consulting Group in 2016 which focuses on clinical trial site management and recruitment for a growing network of high volume, geographically diverse, urgent care and multi-specialty sites. |
||||||||||
Differentiation of HSV & VZV Lesions Using Multiplex Molecular
Testing Live Event: Tuesday, May 7, 2024 | 1:00 - 2:00 PM ET P.A.C.E.® credit available until November 7, 2024 | Florida Laboratory Credit available |
|
||||||||||
Herpes viruses, specifically herpes simplex virus (HSV) and varicella
zoster virus (VZV), are some of the most common causes of primary and
latent oral, genital, and cutaneous lesions. It is often difficult to
visually differentiate HSV-1, HSV-2, VZV, and multiple other
lesion-causing etiologies. While primary antiviral treatment of HSV and
VZV are often the same, the need to treat, duration of treatment, and
recurrence prevention differ, as does rate of recurrence,
transmissibility, and long-term complications. Therefore, it is
imperative that suspected lesions be diagnosed accurately. Diagnostic challenges indicate a role for rapid molecular multiplex testing that can assess multiple lesion-causing pathogens, ideally while a patient is still present for education and treatment. This webinar will discuss the prevalence of herpes virus-related lesions, discuss the importance of viral differentiation, evaluate diagnostic challenges, and provide information on utilizing rapid near-patient molecular multiplex testing to improve lesion diagnosis. This webinar will: • Review the prevalence of herpes virus-related lesions • Discuss the clinical importance of differentiating HSV-1, HSV-2, & VZV • Determine diagnostic challenges associated with herpes virus lesions and how a molecular multiplex assay can improve diagnostic accuracy • Identify how rapid near-patient molecular testing can improve workflow and patient outcome ![]() |
Presenter: Preeti Pancholi, PhD, D(ABMM) Director, Clinical Microbiology Professor, Clinical Pathology The Ohio State University College of Medicine Wexner Medical Center Columbus, OH ![]() Preeti Pancholi, PhD is a Professor and Director of the Clinical Microbiology Laboratory at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH. In this role, she is responsible for the daily management of clinical microbiology laboratory offering infectious diseases diagnostic testing. She is board certified and has over 20 years of experience in clinical microbiology. |
||||||||||
Microbiology Results for Critical Patients: A 2023 Perspective Live Event: Wednesday, December 13, 2023 | 1:00 - 2:00 PM ET P.A.C.E.® credit available until June 13, 2024 | Florida Laboratory Credit available |
|
||||||||||
The role of the microbiology laboratory and the choice of antimicrobial
susceptibility testing (AST) method is crucial to determining the
appropriate treatment for severe infections in critically ill patients.
Delayed or inaccurate results, especially for patients with multi-drug
resistant infections, can lead to less effective treatment and potential
mortality. Accurate minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) data can reduce turn-around times and favorably impact therapeutic decisions. The use of new generation therapeutics like sulbactam/durlobactam and MIC results for determining optimal treatment are critical in the face of growing antibiotic resistance. The availability of accurate broth microdilution-based MICs for new antibiotics can help improve patient outcomes and reduce the lengths-of-stay, therapeutic dosages and duration, adverse reactions, and costs. Actions taken by the antimicrobial stewardship team to enforce the judicious use of antimicrobials are most effective when supported by timely diagnostic information from and collaboration with microbiology laboratory personnel. Effective collaborations among microbiologists, clinicians, the antimicrobial stewardship team, and policy makers can help improve patient care and meet the challenges of increased antibiotic resistance in a post-Covid world. This webinar will: • Review the challenges of treating and managing critically ill patients • Describe how MIC results for new generation therapeutics are used to manage patient care • Summarize how effective diagnostic and antimicrobial stewardship can help combat resistance • Explain the importance of MIC results and breakpoints |
Presenter: James A. McKinnell, MD Associate Professor of Medicine David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA Division of Infectious Disease, LA-Biomed at Harbor UCLA Medical Center ![]() James A. McKinnell, M.D. is an Associate Professor of Medicine at the David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles. He is also a member of the Infectious Disease Clinical Outcome Research Unit (ID-CORE) and the Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-UCLA. Dr. McKinnell is a nationally-recognized infectious disease specialist with specific research interests related to the clinical management and prevention of healthcare-associated infections. |
||||||||||
Revitalizing Diabetes Care in Primary Care: Improving Clinical
Inertia for Diabetes Management Live Event: Tuesday, November 21, 2023 | 1:00 - 2:00 PM ET P.A.C.E.® credit available until May 21, 2024 | Florida Laboratory Credit available |
|
||||||||||
Join our upcoming webinar, “Revolutionizing Diabetes Management,” to
tackle the growing diabetes prevalence. We’ll address clinical inertia,
which hinders optimal care, and explore ways to democratize healthcare
for better patient outcomes. Discover cutting-edge technologies, patient
empowerment, and inclusive practices that can transform diabetes
management in the primary care setting reducing the burden on
individuals and society. Don’t miss this opportunity to be a part of the
fight against diabetes. This webinar will: • Review the current situation for managing people living with diabetes in the primary care setting today • Discuss the impact of diabetes management on patient outcomes and quality of care • Examine the measures that treating healthcare providers can implement to improve their diabetes management program by addressing clinic inertia and democratizing healthcare • Identify the effects of empowering patients and intervening earlier • Analyze available diabetes management methods to reduce the economic burden on people and healthcare systems ![]() |
Presenter: Aaron King, MD Family Medicine and Diabetes Specialist MedFirst Primary Care San Antonio, TX ![]() Dr. Aaron King is a Family Medicine and Diabetes Specialist at MedFirst Primary Care, a Baptist Medical Center affiliate. Dr. King graduated from the University of Texas with a B.S. in Microbiology and top of his class at Texas A&M Medical School, while on a scholarship with the United States Navy through the HPSP program. After his USN commission, Dr. King became ABFM certified in Family Medicine after his residency at Navy Hospital Pensacola. |
||||||||||
Improved Lab Efficiency by Automating Urine Plate Reading Live Event: Wednesday, November 15, 2023 | 1:00 - 2:00 PM ET P.A.C.E.® credit available until May 15, 2024 | Florida Laboratory Credit available |
|
||||||||||
Chronic staffing shortages along with increased workload have led many
microbiology laboratories, to consider automation. While this seems
like a practical approach, there are many important considerations in
making such a decision including cost, space, accuracy, ease of use and
compatibility with already established lean workflows. This webinar will discuss how advances in artificial intelligence-enabled laboratory automation can help labs automatically read and interpret microbial cultures. By using proprietary algorithms for enumeration and classification of growth the system can improve accuracy and workflow efficiency. The webinar will also illustrate the impact of AI based automation on laboratory time, describe how automation categorizes the difference between significant and non-significant growth from urine cultures, and discuss how standalone automation can be installed and integrated into a labs lean workflow. This webinar will: • Examine the impact of AI based automation on laboratory time • Describe how automation categorizes the difference between significant and non-significant growth from urine cultures • Discuss how standalone automation can be installed and integrated into a labs lean workflow |
Presenter: Mary George, PhD, D (ABMM) Director Microbiology Lab, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Albany Med Health System Assistant Professor, Albany Medical College ![]() Dr. Mary George has over 40 years of clinical microbiology laboratory experience as both a Medical Laboratory Scientist and laboratory Director. Currently she is Director of the Microbiology Laboratory at Albany Medical Center in Albany, NY. She obtained her Ph.D. in Medical Microbiology from Wake Forest University School of Medicine and completed postdoctoral training in Medical and Public Health Laboratory Microbiology at the University of North Carolina Medical Center. |
||||||||||
Acute Pharyngitis: Advances in Pathogen Identification &
Diagnosis Live Event: Wednesday, October 25, 2023 | 1:00 - 2:00 PM ET P.A.C.E.® credit available until April 25, 2024 | Florida Laboratory Credit available |
|
||||||||||
Acute pharyngitis is one of the most common reasons for primary care
visits and is the most common diagnosis linked to antibiotic use in
school-aged children. Due to extended turnaround times associated with
culture and low sensitivity of rapid antigen detection testing (RADT),
many clinicians empirically prescribe antibiotics to prevent severe
sequelae associated with Group A Streptococcus (GAS). While GAS accounts for a substantial number of pharyngitis infections, recent studies suggest that non-GAS bacteria including Groups C and G Streptococcus may also lead to pharyngitis and be as prevalent as GAS within certain populations. RADTs often lack sensitivity and do not test for non-GAS bacteria or viruses, leaving labs to perform time-consuming culture to determine causative etiologies for pharyngitis. This webinar will address the complexities of acute pharyngitis diagnosis and summarize emerging clinical data on non-GAS pathogens, current testing methods, and the potential role of point-of-care molecular and multiplex testing for pharyngitis pathogens. This webinar will: • Discuss the types of pathogens that cause pharyngitis • Review emerging pathogens that may mimic group A Streptococcus pharyngitis • Evaluate the attributes of molecular multiplex platforms for pharyngitis • Identify the benefits of point-of-care, patient-centered testing with regard to diagnosis, treatment, and workflow ![]() |
Presenter: Bobby L. Boyanton Jr, MD Professor of Pathology University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Pathologist-in-Chief and Section Medical Director, Molecular Pathology Arkansas Children’s Hospital ![]() Bobby L. Boyanton Jr., M.D., is a Professor of Pathology at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, and Pathologist-in-Chief and Section Medical Director of Molecular Pathology at Arkansas Children’s Hospital. He oversees all aspects of the clinical laboratories and the point-of-care testing program for the hospital and affiliated clinics. His passion lies in the molecular-based diagnosis of infectious diseases within both the laboratory and point-of-care settings. |
||||||||||
Common Chronic Liver Disease: Causes & Laboratory Testing Solutions Live Event: Tuesday, October 24, 2023 | 1:00 - 2:00 PM ET P.A.C.E.® credit available until April 24, 2024 | Florida Laboratory Credit available |
|
||||||||||
In 2020, chronic liver disease was the 12th leading cause of death in
the United States. Chronic liver disease involves the progressive
destruction and regeneration of liver tissue that leads to fibrosis and
cirrhosis. Cirrhosis and chronic liver failure are leading causes of
morbidity and mortality, with most cases attributed to excessive alcohol
consumption, viral hepatitis B or C, or nonalcoholic fatty liver
disease. From the results of multiple studies, these four conditions
account for approximately 80% of all chronic liver disease. This presentation focuses on the epidemiology, clinical aspects, signs and symptoms, and diagnosis of these four common causes of chronic liver disease. It also considers the value of direct assessment for identifying at-risk patients. Finally, it examines the utility of the Enhanced Liver Fibrosis (ELF) Score in assessing the likelihood of progression to cirrhosis and liver-related clinical events in patients with advanced fibrosis. This webinar will: • Describe four main causes of chronic liver disease • Discuss major risk factors for developing chronic liver disease • Explain associated clinical and laboratory findings • Summarize testing options to assist in the differential diagnosis of chronic liver disease ![]() |
Presenter: Jim Aguanno, PhD Senior Clinical and Scientific Consultant Siemens Healthineers ![]() Dr. James Aguanno received a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from Memphis State University. Following his Ph.D., he did two post-doctoral fellowships one at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in Biochemistry and a second fellowship in Laboratory Medicine at Washington University School of Medicine and Barnes Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri. |
||||||||||
Automated Susceptibility Testing to Optimize Patient Outcomes Live Event: Thursday, October 5, 2023 | 1:00 - 2:00 PM ET P.A.C.E.® credit available until April 5, 2024 | Florida Laboratory Credit available |
|
||||||||||
The focus on antibiotic stewardship is increasing and will be mandated,
with the focus on providing optimal care, and reducing unnecessary
antibiotic exposure risk for developing MDR infections. The link between
the stewardship team and the microbiology laboratory is critical for
success. Obtaining timely and accurate organism identification and
susceptibility data is essential in conducting daily antibiotic
stewardship activities. Identifying key priorities for success has a
significant influence over the criteria used when selecting automated
systems for the lab. The data generated from these systems reflexes to
real-time review and intervention by the Stewardship Team. Multidisciplinary collaboration is essential in optimizing patient outcomes. This webinar will describe the impact of effective stewardship practices on mortality and how collaboration between the microbiology lab and stewardship team can improve metrics, review the impact of effective stewardship practices in cases of sepsis and septic shock, and demonstrate the need for new therapeutics to accompany accurate diagnostics. This webinar will: • Describe the impact of effective stewardship practices on mortality and how collaboration between the microbiology lab and stewardship team can improve metrics • Review the impact of effective stewardship practices in cases of sepsis and septic shock • Demonstrate the need for new therapeutics to accompany accurate diagnostics |
Presenter: Jerod Nagel, PharmD, BCIDP Clinical Pharmacist Specialist in Infectious Diseases Residency Program Director: PGY2 Infectious Diseases Adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor in Pharmacy ![]() Dr. Jerod Nagel is the pharmacy team lead for the Infectious Diseases & Antimicrobial Stewardship Program at the University of Michigan Health Systems. Currently the program has 3 specific daily patient care responsibilities: drug-based stewardship, outcomes-based stewardship and ID consult. His team is heavily involved in QI initiatives linked to reimbursement and joint commission standards, which require collaborations with a numerous groups across the health care system. |
||||||||||
Decalcification for Routine, Advanced, and Molecular Analysis Live Event: Wednesday, September 27, 2023 | 1:00 - 2:00 PM ET P.A.C.E.® credit available until March 27, 2024 | Florida Laboratory Credit available |
|
||||||||||
Quality sample preparation is fundamental to the analytical process.
Various methods have been employed for decalcification including use of
acids, chemical agents, and electric and ultrasonic means. The purpose
of decalcification is to remove calcium salts from mineralized tissue,
resulting in preservation of organic components so that paraffin
sections can be prepared for histological assessment. It is important to
choose a proper decalcification method and timing for every specimen
being handled. Specimens that are subjected to molecular testing might
require special attention and procedures. This webinar will: • Describe the nature of calcified tissues and the need for decalcification • Identify the different decalcification methods and evaluate their advantages and limitations • Examine the process of choosing an optimal decalcification method • Discuss the effects of decalcification protocols on IHC and molecular assays ![]() |
Presenter: Andrew Lisowski, MS, HTL(ASCP) Senior Technical Content Global Marketing Manager, Epredia ![]() Andrew Lisowski has almost 30 years of experience in histology and histotechnology. He attended veterinary school and earned his master’s degree in molecular biology. He worked in histology, IHC and ISH labs, cell culture lab, performed in-vitro and in-vivo toxicology assays and was a member of a necropsy team. Andrew worked for pharmaceutical companies, medical schools and founded his own molecular and histology firms. Currently, he is the Senior Technical Content Manager at Epredia providing global technical content. |
||||||||||
Fighting the Rise of STI Rates with Rapid Testing and Early
Detection Live Event: Wednesday, August 23, 2023 | 2:00 - 3:00 PM ET P.A.C.E.® credit available until February 23, 2024 | Florida Laboratory Credit available |
|
||||||||||
With the increasing rates of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
across the country, early diagnosis of an infection is a critical and
often challenging aspect in today’s healthcare system. HIV and syphilis
are both serious infections that can have devastating consequences on
their own, including co-infection, transmission to others, and increased
risk of acquiring other STIs1.
Identifying patients with these infections accurately and rapidly is
integral in preventing transmission and connecting patients to care, but
it can be a sensitive process for the patients and daunting for clinical
staff. This program will cover current HIV and syphilis statistics, risk factors, testing guidelines and recommendations, and newly approved technology to aid in the rapid diagnosis of both conditions and subsequent care for all patient populations in need. Reference: 1https://hivinfo.nih.gov/understanding-hiv/fact-sheets/hiv-and-sexually-transmitted-diseases-stds This webinar will: • Review the most current HIV & syphilis US surveillance data • Explain the current testing guidelines for HIV & syphilis • Describe the importance of dual testing for HIV and syphilis & the benefits of rapid testing • Summarize HIV & syphilis testing methods & algorithms ![]() |
Presenter: Matthew M. Hamill, M.B.Ch.B. Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, Division of Infectious Diseases ![]() Dr. Matthew Hamill is interested in all aspects of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) and HIV including prevention, treatment, and retention in care. His research focuses on rapid, Point-of-Care diagnostics for STI in low-income settings. He provides patient-focused treatment for those with, or at risk of, STI and HIV. Dr. Hamill is affiliated with Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and the Bloomberg School of Public Health. |
||||||||||
How to Start an NGS Lab for Reproductive Health Research Live Event: Wednesday, August 16, 2023 | 1:00 - 2:00 PM ET P.A.C.E.® credit available until February 16, 2024 | Florida Laboratory Credit available |
|
||||||||||
The field of reproductive health has grown significantly, and the
technology used for genetic testing has matched this growth. In the past
15 years, we’ve seen techniques such as fluorescence in situ
hybridization (FISH), array-based methods, and a move to the current
standard of next-generation sequencing (NGS) take hold as routine
methods for preimplantation genetic testing and carrier screening
research. While the move to faster and more efficient methods has made
these applications more accessible, it has also introduced a new layer
of complexity to the lab. The advantages of gaining more information from a higher resolution platform or the ability to perform multiple applications on a single platform may be worth the hurdle of bringing on a new methodology. While NGS tends to have an easier workflow, there are other considerations for those unfamiliar with molecular testing. This webinar will outline what is required to start a new NGS lab for reproductive health research and address the analytical validation requirements for high-complexity labs. This webinar will: • Identify the equipment needed for a new molecular lab • Assess space requirements for instrumentation, workbenches, and storage spaces • Evaluate personnel requirements for CLIA and CAP and associated credentials • Review analytical validation steps and consulting services for research workflows |
Presenters:![]() Senior Manager Global Market Development, Reproductive Health, Thermo Fisher Scientific, France ![]() Sr Manager, Project Management, Global NGS Analytical Validation Services, Thermo Fisher Scientific, U.S. |
||||||||||
The Value of Rapid Antigen Testing Live Event: Wednesday, July 12, 2023 | 1:00 - 2:00 PM ET P.A.C.E.® credit available until January 12, 2024 | Florida Laboratory Credit available |
|
||||||||||
The SARS-CoV-2, influenza (flu), and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
tripledemic of the 2022–2023 U.S. respiratory season posed a challenge
for both patients and the healthcare system. In this webinar, the
presenter will discuss lessons learned and the value of using rapid
antigen testing to detect these viruses. As we progress toward the next respiratory season, healthcare facilities across the industry need to prepare to address simultaneous SARS-CoV-2, flu, and RSV outbreaks once again. By gaining access to low-cost, easy-to-use rapid antigen tests, clinicians can be better equipped to differentiate these viral infections so providers can offer more accurate diagnoses and treatment. This webinar will: • Explain the overall value and differences between molecular and antigen testing • Discuss the respiratory disease state and the recent tripledemic in the US • Describe the benefit of combination rapid antigen testing during respiratory seasons ![]() |
Presenter: Dr. Amesh Adalja, MD ![]() Dr. Amesh Adalja works as an adjunct assistant professor at Johns Hopkins University, Carnegie Mellon University, and the University of Pittsburgh. He is also a senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security and an affiliate of the Johns Hopkins Center for Global Health. Dr. Adalja is board certified in infectious disease, critical care, emergency, and internal medicine and actively practices in the Pittsburgh area. His other areas of focus include emerging infectious diseases, pandemic preparedness, and biosecurity. |
||||||||||
Ergonomics in the Lab: Increasing Productivity Live Event: Tuesday, June 20, 2023 | 1:00 - 2:00 PM ET P.A.C.E.® credit available until December 20, 2023 | Florida Laboratory Credit available |
|
||||||||||
Laboratories provide many opportunities for
ergonomic stressors to manifest into injuries or repetitive stress
disorders. Major ergonomic issues in the laboratory setting include
static and/or awkward postures and repetitive motions. Could you
identify these most common hazards in a clinical / diagnostic laboratory
work environment? Compare your laboratory to others from Dan the Lab
Safety Man based on his 30+ years of experience working in, managing,
and leading the lab’s safety programming. You will want to attend this webinar to learn about ergonomics in labs that our presenter has experienced, addressed and shared with safety and laboratory colleagues during his experiences touring and inspecting clinical laboratories in healthcare. We will identify the top most frequently seen ergonomic hazards in a healthcare laboratory and provide cost-effective solutions to avoid these everyday hazards. Most importantly, the webinar will provide a greater understanding of how participants can keep the people around them safe in their healthcare laboratory. This webinar will: • Review basic and intermediate laboratory safety regulations and applications • Examine specific lab ergonomic subjects • Identify cost effective solutions to these everyday hazards • Relate laboratory needs to specific lab safety products ![]() |
Presenter: Dan Scungio, MT(ASCP), SLS, CQA(ASQ) ![]() Daniel J. Scungio has over 30 years of experience as a certified Medical Technologist. After 10 years of lab management, he became the Laboratory Safety Officer for a system of more than 10 hospitals and over 20 laboratories and draw sites in Virginia and North Carolina. As a laboratory safety consultant and a safety officer, Dan has provided on-site education and safety training for labs of all sizes. He has become an international speaker and consultant who helps organizations create safety savvy laboratories. |
||||||||||
Tissue Processing: Frequently Asked Questions Live Event: Tuesday, May 16, 2023 | 1:00 - 2:00 PM ET P.A.C.E.® credit available until November 16, 2023 | Florida Laboratory Credit available |
|
||||||||||
Tissue Processing is the most complex and one of the longest steps in
the histology workflow. Since the processing step is overly complex,
mistakes are quite common, and questions arise about possible remedies
and corrective actions. In this webinar, we will answer frequent
questions related to tissue processing. Understanding the science of
processing, consumable interactions will increase tissue quality,
therefore, enabling a faster diagnosis that can be delivered to the
patient, promoting better patient care. This webinar will: • Examine ways to avoid common mistakes • Discuss the ways to take corrective action • Analyze simple chemical interactions • Discuss the reason behind reagent composition ![]() |
Presenter: Andrew Lisowski, MS, HTL(ASCP) Senior Technical Content Global Marketing Manager Epredia ![]() Andrew Lisowski has almost 30 years of experience in histology and histotechnology. He attended veterinary school and earned his master’s degree in molecular biology. He worked in histology, IHC and ISH labs, cell culture lab, performed in-vitro and in-vivo toxicology assays and was a member of a necropsy team. Andrew worked for pharmaceutical companies, medical schools and founded his own molecular and histology firms. Currently, he is the Senior Technical Content Manager at Epredia providing global technical content. |
||||||||||
STI Testing – What to Offer & How to Offer It Live Event: Wednesday, May 10, 2023 | 1:00 - 2:00 PM ET P.A.C.E.® credit available until November 10, 2023 | Florida Laboratory Credit available |
|
||||||||||
The number of cases of sexually transmitted infections (STI) around the
world has been on the rise for years. Given the variability in screening
and testing guidelines for treatable STIs, what should your lab be
offering to clients? The answer, of course, depends on the patient
populations being served. This webinar will discuss for whom and under what circumstances to test for Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Trichomonas vaginalis, and Mycoplasma genitalium. In addition to decisions about appropriate test menus, we will discuss acceptable sample types — including non-genital specimens — and sample collection methods, including remote sample collection. This discussion will also cover regulatory aspects that impact a lab’s ability to offer different types and levels of testing. This webinar will: • Explain how to determine whether Mycoplasma genitalium testing is appropriate for a patient according to CDC guidelines • Identify when non-genital STI testing is appropriate • Apply regulatory considerations when determining how to proceed (or why not to proceed) with offering remote sample collection for testing in your laboratory |
Presenters:![]() Professor of Medicine Division of Infectious Diseases University of Alabama at Birmingham ![]() Sr. Manager, Product Applications Global Health Equity Thermo Fisher Scientific |
||||||||||
Interdisciplinary Teams Are Key to Successful Antimicrobial
Stewardship Live Event: Wednesday, January 25, 2023 | 1:00 - 2:00 PM ET P.A.C.E.® credit available until July 25, 2023 | Florida Laboratory Credit available |
|
||||||||||
New drug development has been in decline and antimicrobial resistance
has been steadily on the rise. This dynamic has resulted in the
development of multi-drug resistant microorganisms (MDRO) and challenges
in managing the resulting complicated infections. Antimicrobial
Stewardship Programs have key objectives to promote the appropriate use
of antimicrobials, improve patient outcomes, reduce microbial resistance
and decrease the spread of infections caused by MDROs. Multi-drug resistance is particularly challenging for institutions to manage, specifically when transmitted among vulnerable patient populations. Optimal therapeutic options may be few and limited by toxicity that can further compromise patient health. Accurate diagnostic tools that can guide the most appropriate clinical decisions in these life-threatening infections with is critical. Microbiology laboratories with access to accurate antimicrobial susceptibility platforms that include drugs of last resort as well as novel drugs can lead to more effective and optimal treatment decisions, reducing cost of stay and improving patient outcomes. This webinar will: • Evaluate testing options for the rapid identification of resistant infections • Demonstrate the need for new therapeutics to accompany accurate diagnostics • Review the impact of COVID on the development Antimicrobial Resistance • Discuss the impact of effective stewardship practices on mortality and how accurate laboratory data can guide appropriate decision making |
Presenter: Nathan Ledeboer, PhD Professor of Pathology and Vice Chair Department of Pathology Medical College of Wisconsin Associate Chief Medical Officer for Laboratory Services Froedtert Health ![]() Dr. Ledeboer is the director of medical and technical activities for the Clinical Microbiology and Molecular Diagnostics Laboratories of the Medical College of Wisconsin. In this role, he oversees development and implementation of new assays, sign out of all testing performed in these laboratories, and consults with physician colleagues regarding test results and selection. |
||||||||||
Using Clinical Breakpoints to Improve Antimicrobial Resistance
Detection Live Event: Tuesday, December 13, 2022 | 1:00 - 2:00 PM ET P.A.C.E.® credit available until June 13, 2023 | Florida Laboratory Credit available |
|
||||||||||
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is an urgent global health threat.
Antimicrobial resistance is detected by clinical laboratories that
perform antimicrobial susceptibility tests (AST) against bacteria
isolated from clinical cultures. AST results are interpreted using
clinical breakpoints, which are updated periodically by standards
development organizations and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
(FDA). Breakpoint changes can benefit patients and public health only if
adopted in a timely manner by diagnostic companies that develop and
market AST products and/or clinical laboratories that perform AST. Currently, the United States (U.S.) regulatory framework does not compel laboratories or diagnostic companies to keep up to date with evolving AST breakpoints. This results in serious patient safety concerns and hampers the ability to track and contain the worldwide threat of antimicrobial resistance. This presentation will review results from the recent Open Forum Infectious Diseases publication Raising the Bar: Improving Antimicrobial Resistance Detection by Clinical Laboraotires by Ensuring Use of Current Breakpoints. The new College of American Pathologists (CAP) requirements to ensure breakpoint adherence will be discussed and practical examples to address these new requirements will be provided. By updating clinical breakpoints, we can ensure proper patient safety and help detect antimicrobial resistance to contain the threat. This webinar will: • Define the ongoing pandemic of antimicrobial resistance • Discuss how we can address the ongoing pandemic in the Clinical Microbiology Laboratory • Demonstrate the need to apply updated clinical breakpoints to interpret antimicrobial susceptibility testing results • Review practical examples on how to update clinical breakpoints to interpret antimicrobial susceptibility testing results for patient care |
Presenter: Patricia (Trish) J. Simner, PhD, D(ABMM) Associate Professor of Pathology Director of Bacteriology and Infectious Disease Sequencing Laboratories Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine ![]() Dr. Trish Simner is an Associate Professor of Pathology and Infectious Diseases at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and the Director of the Medical Bacteriology and Infectious Disease Sequencing Laboratories at the Johns Hopkins Hospital. She completed her PhD at the University of Manitoba in Manitoba, Canada and a two year Clinical Microbiology Fellowship at the Mayo Clinic. |
||||||||||
Influenza 2022-2023: Rapid Assessment and Treatment Strategies Live Event: Thursday, November 17, 2022 | 1:00 - 2:00 PM ET P.A.C.E.® credit available until May 17, 2023 | Florida Laboratory Credit available |
![]() ![]() |
||||||||||
Join this session for the latest insights on global influenza activity
and predictions for the upcoming respiratory season in the Northern
Hemisphere. Influenza diagnostic guidelines and quality initiatives
associated with antimicrobial stewardship and care efficiencies will be
presented. Leaders and members of antibiotic stewardship committees and
healthcare professionals involved in time sensitive and other acute care
areas are encouraged to attend. This webinar will: • Discuss influenza risks and the importance of an early diagnosis in time-sensitive areas • Review IDSA guidelines for diagnosing influenza • Examine accuracy and technology differences between antigen and molecular tests • Explore the impact of an early and accurate influenza diagnosis on quality of care, infection control, and stewardship for antibiotics and antivirals ![]() |
Presenters:![]() Director, Central Automated Laboratory Director, Point-of-Care Testing Program Administrative Director, Duke University Health System Clinical Laboratories Duke University Health System ![]() Associate Medical Director Assistant Professor - Family Medicine Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell |
||||||||||
Value of Point of Care Testing in Diabetes Management Live Event: Tuesday, November 1, 2022 | 12:00 - 1:00 PM ET P.A.C.E.® credit available until May 1, 2023 | Florida Laboratory Credit available |
![]() ![]() |
||||||||||
The number of adults with diabetes in the world is expected to increase
to 700 million by 2045, including as many as 1 in 3 US adults. Diabetes
leads to changes and symptoms in multiple organ systems. Monitoring and
treating these effectively takes time and attention from the patient and
the healthcare team. Yet most often these patients are seen and managed
in primary care practices who are often under heavy time and cost
containment pressures. Managing patients diagnosed with diabetes according to the ADA Standards of Care guidelines is critically important, yet overall testing compliance is poor. Only 26.7% of patients diagnosed with diabetes meet targets for glycemic, blood pressure, or cholesterol control. Several studies suggest that POCT for HbA1c is beneficial in multiple areas. Outcomes included in these studies suggested patients had greater understanding and were more satisfied with the state of their disease and treatment and had better glycemic control. Increased compliance with ADA testing frequency, improved operational efficiencies and better care for under-privileged populations have also been observed in studies investigating POC testing. This webinar will: • Examine the current situation in terms of diabetes prevalence now and looking towards the future • Analyze current guidelines and goals and the challenges associated with achieving them • Review how point of care testing may improve operational efficiencies and lead to better outcomes ![]() |
Presenter: Vivian A. Fonseca, MD, FRCP Professor of Medicine and Pharmacology Assistant Dean for Clinical Research Tullis Tulane Alumni Chair in Diabetes Chief, Section of Endocrinology Tulane University Health Sciences Center ![]() Dr. Vivian Fonseca, is a Professor of Medicine, Assistant Dean for Clinical Research, the Tullis-Tulane Alumni Chair in Diabetes, and chief of the Section of Endocrinology at Tulane University Medical Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. He is a Past President for Science and Medicine of the American Diabetes Association (2012), and has served on the ADA Board of Directors and several committees. |
||||||||||
Science of Tissue Processing: Tidal vs. Rotational Processing Live Event: Thursday, October 27, 2022 | 1:00 - 2:00 PM ET P.A.C.E.® credit available until April 27, 2023 | Florida Laboratory Credit available |
![]() ![]() |
||||||||||
Quality sample preparation is fundamental to the analytical process.
Tissue Processing is the most complex and one of the longest steps in the histology workflow. The quality of the processed specimens will determine the quality of the stained slides. By reducing processing times, while increasing tissue quality, a faster diagnosis can be delivered to the patient, promoting better patient care. In this webinar, we will review the purpose and function of the steps in tissue processing, discuss tissue processing reagents, tissue processing agitation methods, and undercover a way to improve your laboratories tissue processing methods by using a rotational tissue processor. This webinar will: • Identify the tissue processing steps • Choose optimal tissue processing reagents • Explain the different tissue processing methods • Compare efficiency of tidal vs rotational agitation tissue processing ![]() |
Presenter: Andrew Lisowski Senior Technical Content Manager Epredia ![]() Andrew Lisowski has almost 30 years of experience in histology and histotechnology. He attended veterinary school and earned his master’s degree in molecular biology. Andrew worked in histology, IHC and ISH labs, cell culture lab, performed in-vitro and in-vivo toxicology assays and was a member of a necropsy team. Currently, Andrew is the Senior Technical Content Manager at Epredia providing global technical content. |
||||||||||
Workflow Productivity and Sample Security in the Pathology
Laboratory Live Event: Wednesday, October 26, 2022 | 1:00 - 2:00 PM ET P.A.C.E.® credit available until April 26, 2023 | Florida Laboratory Credit available |
![]() ![]() |
||||||||||
Pathology laboratories require high quality and reliable sample
identification throughout the possession of patient samples. The
consequence of poor sample identification or non-standard sample
handling can be misidentified samples. This webinar will discuss common practices such as hand labeling cassettes and slides and potential downsides of using low-quality printing printers for items in the lab. Users will learn what technical details to consider when evaluating cassette and slide printers in their labs. This webinar will: • Identify potential disadvantages of hand labeling slides and cassettes • Discuss implications of misidentified samples • Examine slide and cassette printer technical capabilities • Analyze laboratory workflows utilizing cassette and slide printers ![]() |
Presenters:![]() Field Applications Specialist Epredia ![]() Field Applications Manager Epredia |
||||||||||
Measuring COVID-19 Immune Response with Ultrasensitive,
PCR-based Neutralizing Antibody Assays Live Event: Wednesday, October 5, 2022 | 1:00 - 2:00 PM ET P.A.C.E.® credit available until April 5, 2023 | Florida Laboratory Credit available |
![]() |
||||||||||
As we look to manage the next phase of the pandemic, it is important to
understand the body’s immune response to SARS-CoV-2 vaccines. Most
antibody testing detects all antibodies in a sample, although only
neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) inhibit the virus from attaching to
cells. Building a complete picture of immune response, including the
role of NAbs, is critical as we face the continued emergence of new
variants. However, cell-based assays, the current gold standard for SARS-CoV-2 NAb testing, require additional safety measures for managing live viruses. These involve long, complicated workflows with poor lab-to-lab consistency. While some Elisa-based solutions are available, they lack sensitivity and don’t produce a quantitative measurement. In this webinar we will learn about a new approach to this problem using a proprietary method that leverages qPCR to produce quantified NAb titers. This webinar will: • Explain the importance of NAb testing and the need for standard testing methods • Review current COVID-19 antibody testing options • Describe a new technology being used for SARS-CoV-2 NAb testing • Explore NAb data for vaccination and emerging variants ![]() |
Presenter: Feng Xuan, PhD CTO and Co-founder Spear Bio ![]() Feng Xuan is the CTO and Co-founder of Spear Bio. Before joining Spear Bio he was the technology Development Fellow at the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University. There he invented Spear Bio’s core technology. Feng received his BS in Chemistry & M. Phil in Biomedical Engineering from Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. |
||||||||||
Testing Algorithms Discussion: Preparing for the 2022-23
Respiratory Season Live Event: Wednesday, September 28, 2022 | 3:00 - 4:00 PM ET P.A.C.E.® credit available until March 28, 2023 | Florida Laboratory Credit available |
![]() |
||||||||||
In this webinar, you will learn about the different algorithms available
for COVID-19 testing. The presenters will share the differing opinions
about antigen versus molecular tests and how they may affect patient
care and help limit the spread of SARS-CoV-2. They will also discuss
identifying COVID-19 versus flu due to symptom similarities and how
diagnosis is being managed. Could syndromic panels help distinguish
between the diseases? Institutions must decide which algorithm works best for them and consider other important factors for method selection, including cost, reimbursement potential, and time to result. They must also ask: • Which assays will be most effective? • Will the test be performed in the laboratory or at the bedside? • When should the tests be performed? The presenters will offer their opinions on algorithms and why certain assays are best suited for patient care and disease mitigation. By the end of the session, you should have a better understanding of the differences between molecular and antigen testing and how use of either method could best serve your needs. This webinar will: • Examine the different testing algorithms that are available for respiratory infections • Explain the differences between antigen and molecular testing and when each type is indicated • State the benefits and detriments of syndromic testing for respiratory targets |
Presenters:![]() Mayo Clinic Dr. Matthew J. Binnicker is a professor of laboratory medicine and pathology at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. He studies viral infections and new ways to diagnose and manage viral diseases. Specifically, Binnicker works to develop novel molecular methods to detect viruses causing respiratory infections and diseases in the transplant patient population. ![]() University of Washington Dr. Paul Drain is an associate professor in the Departments of Global Health, Medicine (Infectious Diseases), and Epidemiology at the University of Washington in Seattle. A board-certified physician in internal medicine and infectious disease, Drain is an attending physician for the University of Washington Medical Center. |
||||||||||
Use of Automated Next-Generation Sequencing for Rapid Profiling
of Myeloid Malignancies Live Event: Wednesday, September 14, 2022 | 1:00 - 2:00 PM ET P.A.C.E.® credit available until March 14, 2023 | Florida Laboratory Credit available |
![]() ![]() |
||||||||||
Modern cancer care relies heavily on biomarker testing for diagnosis of
disease, as well as selection of effective therapies. As the number of
actionable biomarkers continues to increase, single-gene testing methods
have become less practical due to its large specimen requirements, long
turnaround times, and lack of comprehensive coverage, giving rise to
next-generation sequencing (NGS) as a necessary standard of care in
oncology. A sequencing-based approach helps ensure all relevant
biomarkers can be captured at once, making the most of limited sample
tissue while also decreasing critical time-to-results. Despite the overwhelming need for NGS, many hospitals are reliant on outsourcing to specialized reference laboratories to perform this service, leading to long turnaround times for results, and potentially initiating suboptimal treatment regimens for cancer patients. Recent advances in automation of NGS, however, have allowed hospitals to bring this valuable technology in-house, facilitating faster results and better coordination of care. In this webinar the speakers will provide a basic overview of NGS technology and applications, as well as a more detailed experience of one healthcare institution’s implementation of NGS for myeloid malignancies. This webinar will: • Review the basic concept of next-generation sequencing (NGS) • Identify the primary applications of NGS in precision oncology, including those for myeloid malignancies • Describe how a medical institution implemented NGS testing for myeloid malignancies in their lab using automated instrumentation • Examine how the use of rapid, in-house NGS testing can impact clinical care for patients with myeloid malignancies |
Presenters:![]() Assistant Professor, Pathology Wake Forest University School of Medicine Dr. Insuasti is trained in both hematopathology as well as molecular pathology, with particular interest in myeloid leukemias and B-lymphocytes. ![]() Associate Director, Product Management Thermo Fisher Scientific Andrew Hutchison is the associate director of product management within the clinical sequencing division of Thermo Fisher Scientific. Andrew has served in various scientific, engineering, and product management roles throughout his career, having a hand in the development of multiple different sequencing technologies. |
||||||||||
Molecular Testing for Respiratory Tract Infections: Preparing
for an Uncertain Flu Season and the Use of Expanded RTI Panels Live Event: Friday, August 19, 2022 | 1:00 - 2:00 PM ET P.A.C.E.® credit available until February 19, 2023 | Florida Laboratory Credit available |
![]() ![]() |
||||||||||
Respiratory tract infections are caused by a variety of viruses,
bacteria, fungi, and other microbes that cause similar symptoms.
Moreover, the concurrent presence of viral and bacterial pathogens is a
growing concern and effective detection methods are required to detect
potential co-infections. The addition of SARS-CoV-2 to the pathogen
ecosystem has further complicated this landscape. Accurate detection of
these pathogens is critical for appropriate patient management and
molecular testing is an extremely sensitive method to achieve this. In this webinar, the speakers will discuss common questions regarding expectations for the upcoming flu season, testing for the plethora of respiratory pathogens capable of causing severe disease, and antimicrobial stewardship. This webinar will: • Assess the dynamics of the upcoming cold/flu season and learn about molecular diagnostic solutions for simultaneously detecting and differentiating COVID-19, seasonal flu, and other illnesses • Clarify the clinical guidelines and value of expanded molecular panels for identifying influenza-like illnesses, co-infections, and anti-microbial resistance • Prepare to utilize your existing capabilities to implement molecular testing for respiratory tract infections in your lab |
Presenters:![]() Sr Director, Clinical Thermo Fisher Scientific ![]() VP, R&D HealthTrackRx |
||||||||||
New Perspectives on the Automated Microbiology Laboratory:
Realizing the Potential of Artificial Intelligence Live Event: Monday, August 15, 2022 | 4:00 - 5:00 PM ET P.A.C.E.® credit available until February 15, 2023 | Florida Laboratory Credit available |
![]() ![]() |
||||||||||
With requests for “on demand testing” and pressure from clinicians for
rapid turnaround times to the significant and growing shortage of
skilled technologists, microbiology laboratories are increasingly being
asked to do more with less. As a result, juggling various clinical,
operations and financial imperatives is a never-ending task for
laboratory managers as well as the bench. Ways of driving efficiencies without compromising quality results represent a significant mitigating factor in this delicate balancing act. The use of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to identify and prioritize clinically-relevant samples is one such tool that holds the key to streamlining workflows and allowing technologists to concentrate their skill on what matters most. This webinar will review the potential that AI and ML offers the microbiology laboratory, outline currently available solutions that leverage these advances, and present an overview of the clinical experience and utility of an in vitro diagnostic device incorporating machine learning algorithms with digital image capture. This webinar will: • Explain the difference and relationship between artificial intelligence and machine learning • Identify barriers to adoption of this technology in the microbiology laboratory • Review the more recent applications of AI and ML in the microbiology laboratory • Describe the implications of removing negative cultures from a workflow |
Presenters:![]() Scientific Director, LBT Innovations ![]() Director of Research, LBT Innovations ![]() Chris Ramsey, PhD Business Development Director, Clever Culture Systems |
||||||||||
The Impact of Upper Respiratory Infection Testing at the POC:
Speed, Outcomes, and Costs Live Event: Wednesday, August 10, 2022 | 2:00 - 3:00 PM ET P.A.C.E.® credit available until February 10, 2023 | Florida Laboratory Credit available |
![]() |
||||||||||
The COVID-19 pandemic has made an impact on infectious disease testing
and the need to expand testing across the continuum of care. This
webinar will review the benefits of lab centralization and
decentralization, the impact of PCR testing in population health
management, as well as the future of state of upper respiratory testing
in an endemic era. This webinar will discuss the power of point of care testing for identification and differentiation of upper respiratory infections and what role these tests can play in the future. Focusing on how to choose the right test for the right patient, we will discuss the types of point of care tests (Rapid Antigen Tests, Lab-based PCR, and Rapid PCR). The impact of accuracy on patient outcomes, workplace safety and medical costs. The benefits of decentralization for timely, actionable results that can guide treatment decisions during the patient’s first visit. In addition, Dr. Gupta will discuss how implementing a rapid PCR test impacts managing community and population health across a healthcare system. As well as, possible, hurdles and economic factors that come into play when deciding to implement new testing options. This webinar will: • Assess the benefits of decentralization testing in healthcare systems • Describe the future state of upper respiratory testing in post pandemic and endemic era • Identify the value of PCR in patient diagnosis at point of care • Explain how to implement Rapid PCR Testing in your health system |
Presenter: Dr. Vin Gupta Assistant Affiliate Professor Pulmonary/Critical Care Physician ![]() As a Harvard-trained lung specialist, Vin has spent the past 15 years working worldwide to improve public health for organizations including the US Centers for Disease Control, the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, the Harvard Global Health Institute, the World Health Organization, and the Pentagon’s Center for Global Health Engagement. Given his diversity of experiences, he is now a trusted advisor and contributor to national and international media outlets on several of the most important health issues today, including serving as a regular health policy analyst for NBC News and contributor to the New York Times and CNN New Day. |
||||||||||
The Importance of Distinguishing between Aerobic Vaginitis and
Bacterial Vaginosis Live Event: Thursday, June 9, 2022 | 2:00 - 3:00 PM ET P.A.C.E.® credit available until December 9, 2022 | Florida Laboratory Credit available |
![]() ![]() |
||||||||||
Vaginal microbiota plays a central role in women’s health and
reproduction. Vaginal microbiota is dynamic, and its bacterial and
fungal community members play a role in its protection. However, these
organisms can also cause vaginal infection if disrupted. When the vaginal microbiome is disrupted, it creates an opportunity for protective microbes to decrease and pathogenic microbes to thrive. Hence, a dysbiotic state, and infections arise. Within infections, there are those caused by yeasts, which are anerobic and aerobic organisms. Bacterial vaginosis (BV), which affects 15% of women at reproductive age, is characterized by anerobic organism dysbiosis. However, another more recently recognized clinical entity, aerobic vaginitis (AV), arises with aerobic organism dysbiosis. It is important to differentiate BV from AV, although sometimes it is not easy with traditional methods. Unfortunately, AV is sometimes confused with BV. A diagnostic method based on different bacterial combinations may allow distinction of BV versus AV, which has clinical significance with respect to treatment and care. This webinar will present a solution that could be employed to mitigate misdiagnosis of AV for BV. This webinar will: • Discuss the dynamics involved in the Vaginal Microbiome • Identify the infectious states associated with vaginal dysbiosis • Describe the limitations with traditional methods for diagnosing infections • Propose a molecular testing solution for identifying and differentiating between pathogenic states of the vaginal microbiota |
Presenter: Sandeep Mukherjee, MD Scientific Director, Women’s Health and Infectious Disease, PathGroup Nashville, Tennessee ![]() Dr. Mukherjee received his PhD in molecular biology from Jadavpur University in Kolkata, India and performed his fellowship training at the University of Washington in Seattle. He has been the Scientific Director of Women’s Health and Infectious Disease at PathGroup in Nashville, Tennessee since 2014 and has more than 14 years of experience in molecular diagnostics encompassing women’s health, infectious diseases, and oncology. |
||||||||||
Top Ten Healthcare Laboratory Safety Hazards Live Event: Wednesday, June 1, 2022 | 1:00 - 2:00 PM ET P.A.C.E.® credit available until December 1, 2022 | Florida Laboratory Credit available |
![]() ![]() |
||||||||||
Could you identify the top ten most common hazards in a clinical /
diagnostic laboratory work environment? Compare your list to those from
Dan the Lab Safety Man based on his 30+ years of experience working in,
managing, and leading the Lab’s Safety Programming. You will want to
attend this Webinar to learn about “near misses” in Labs that our
presenter has experienced, addressed and shares with the Safety and
Laboratory colleagues during his experiences touring and inspecting
Clinical Laboratories in Healthcare. With Dan “The Laboratory Safety Man” Scungio’s help we will identify the top 10 most frequently seen safety hazards in a healthcare laboratory and provide cost-effective solutions to avoid these everyday hazards. Most importantly, our attendees will walk away with a greater understanding of how they can keep the people around them safe in their healthcare laboratory. This webinar will: • Outline clear understanding of basic/intermediate laboratory safety regulations and applications • Explain In-depth understanding of specific lab safety subjects • Identify cost effective solutions to these everyday hazards • Adapt a strong ability to relate laboratory needs to specific lab safety products, PPE, engineering controls, etc • Utilize awareness of safety in the healthcare laboratories to drive for better safety solutions |
Presenter: Dan Scungio, MT(ASCP), SLS, CQA(ASQ) Dan The Lab Safety Man ![]() Daniel J. Scungio, MT (ASCP), SLS, CQA (ASQ) has over 30 years of experience as a certified Medical Technologist. He has a bachelor’s degree in Medical Technology from the State University of New York at Buffalo in Amherst and Buffalo, New York. Dan worked as a laboratory generalist in hospitals ranging in size from 75 to 800 beds before becoming a laboratory manager. After 10 years of lab management, he became the Laboratory Safety Officer for a system of more than 10 hospitals and over 20 laboratories and draw sites in Virginia and North Carolina. |
||||||||||
Simplifying Group A Streptococci Detection with
Chromogenic Media Live Event: Tuesday, April 19, 2022 | 1:00 - 2:00 PM ET P.A.C.E.® credit available until October 19, 2022 | Florida Laboratory Credit available |
![]() ![]() |
||||||||||
Group A Streptococcus (GAS) can cause many different
infections. These infections range from minor illnesses to very serious
and deadly diseases. Each year the testing for Group A Streptococci
(GAS) is growing. Laboratories face continual pressure to turn around
GAS culture results faster while providing accurate results clinicians
can utilize to make informed treatment decisions. In this webinar, participants will learn how to distinguish growth and isolation characteristics of GAS using different types of prepared culture media plates. Furthermore, they will gain insight into the benefit of using a chromogenic media in the GAS workflow. Finally, this webinar will present how different types of media perform within an automation workflow, highlighting technology that can improve efficiency and productivity in the processing of clinical samples. This webinar will: • Discuss the clinical significance of Group A Streptococcal (GAS) infections • Describe the diagnostic methods currently available for GAS • Identify the benefits of chromogenic media for pathogen screening and diagnostics • Review the role laboratory automation can have in improving workflow productivity |
Presenters:![]() Medical Director of Microbiology and Molecular Diagnostics, Wisconsin Diagnostic Laboratories and Froedtert Health ![]() Assistant Professor, Medical College of Wisconsin |
||||||||||
Whole Genome Sequencing - Targeted Detection of Resistance Genes The Complete Spectrum of Clinically Useful to Clinically Absurd Live Event: Wednesday, March 9, 2022 | 1:00 - 2:00 PM ET P.A.C.E.® credit available until September 9, 2022 | Florida Laboratory Credit available |
![]() ![]() |
||||||||||
Antimicrobial resistance poses a significant clinical and public health
burden, with a recent comprehensive assessment estimating global death
rates to be higher than HIV/AIDs or malaria. Approaches to combat the spread of antimicrobial resistance include, among other initiatives, a thorough understanding of resistance mechanisms and the prudent use of antimicrobials. Whole genome sequencing provides valuable insight into the genetic cause of resistance and has emerged as a tool to study the emergence and surveillance of antimicrobial resistance, as well as develop novel antimicrobials. While whole genome sequencing has the potential to be used as a clinical tool to detect the presence of resistance and help guide therapeutic decisions, antimicrobial susceptibly provides vital information for optimal clinical management. This webinar will: • Discuss the front-line challenges of multi-drug resistance bacterial infections from a clinical and laboratory perspective • Describe the major recent advances with regard to the detection of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) • Identify the benefits and limitations of the targeted detection of resistance genes • Explain the importance of antimicrobial susceptibility testing in the clinical management of bacterial resistance |
Presenters:![]() Associate Professor of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles; Division of Infectious Disease, LA-Biomed at Harbor UCLA Medical Center ![]() Associate Clinical Professor, Section Chief, Clinical Microbiology Director, Point of Care Testing UCLA Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine |
||||||||||
NSF456-Vaccine Storage: A New Standard Detailing Requirements
for Vaccine Cold Storage Live Event: Wednesday, January 19, 2022 | 1:00 - 2:00 PM ET P.A.C.E.® credit available until July 19, 2022 | Florida Laboratory Credit available |
![]() ![]() |
||||||||||
The World Health Organization estimates that as much as 50% of vaccines
are wasted yearly partly due to incorrect storage temperatures. The
newly launched NSF 456 - Vaccine Storage guideline aims to help vaccine
administrators chose a storage unit that has been certified to stay
within proper temperature to ensure the safety and efficacy of the
vaccines. This session will introduce the new NSF guidelines and how to
evaluate vaccine cold storage products. This webinar will: • Discuss the impacts on the Vaccine Cold Chain in the last 2 years and its importance • Examine the Gaps in the historical Vaccine Storage Recommendations and how they could lead to wastage or inefficacy • Analyze of the NSF standards and how they will improve the vaccine cold chain • Identify other actions in the clinic can help protect vaccines |
Presenter: Chase Heibel Sr. Global Product Manager, Laboratory Refrigeration and Sample Transport, Thermo Fisher Scientific ![]() Chase Heibel is the Sr. Global Product Manager covering laboratory and healthcare refrigeration and transport products. He has been with Thermo Fisher Scientific for nine years where he has held multiple roles supporting the cold storage business. |
||||||||||
Laboratory Automation in Microbiology: Accelerating the Impact
through AI and Digital Imaging Live Event: Thursday, December 16, 2021 | 1:00 - 2:00 PM ET P.A.C.E.® credit available until June 16, 2022 | Florida Laboratory Credit available |
![]() ![]() |
||||||||||
Clinical Microbiology relies on technically skilled laboratorians to
process, and interpret cultures from clinical specimens. Laboratory
automation provides improved accuracy, decreased turnaround times,
improved efficiency and reduced reliance on acquiring, training,and
maintaining a qualified workforce. However, the impact of automation
remains unfulfilled, in part, because robotics fails to incorporate
interpretive processes needed to fully prioritize microbiology work
vital to maximizing efficiencies and accelerating reporting. Experience
from the use of an in-vitro diagnostic device incorporating machine
learning algorithms with digital image capture will be presented. This webinar will describe the current challenges and drivers within the microbiology laboratory environment, analyze the bottleneck in various workflows that heavily rely on skilled labor and examine the downstream implications of reviewing negative cultures from a workflow. This webinar will: • Describe the current challenges and drivers within the microbiology laboratory environment • Analyze the bottleneck in various workflows that heavily rely on skilled labor • Examine the downstream implications of reviewing negative cultures from a workflow |
Presenters:![]() Medical Director Microbiology and Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory Hennepin County Medical Center Dr. Glen Hansen is the medical Director of Clinical Microbiology and the Core Molecular Diagnostics Laboratories at Hennepin County Medical Center and an Associate Professor in the departments of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine and Medicine (Infectious Diseases) at the University of Minnesota. ![]() Microbiology Hennepin County Medical Center Jaqueline Getty is a medical technologist at Hennepin County Medical Center in the department of microbiology. Jaqueline received her MLS degree from the University of Minnesota. In addition to her clinical work in microbiology Jacqueline is involved in Hennepin County’s rapid testing protocols for COVID-19 at the hospital level. |
||||||||||
Combining COVID-19 and Flu Testing to Help Prevent a “Twindemic” Live Event: Wednesday, December 15, 2021 | 1:00 - 2:00 PM ET P.A.C.E.® credit available until June 15, 2022 | Florida Laboratory Credit available |
![]() ![]() |
||||||||||
In the age of the pandemic, using one test or the other to “rule out”
one infection is an incomplete and potentially dangerous diagnostic
strategy. Combined rapid antigen testing is the best choice to combat a
‘twindemic’ as it is effective in diagnosing both COVID-19 and the flu
quickly and accurately. Easy-to-use rapid antigen combination tests that
are currently available to clinicians will help facilitate the best
diagnostics possible, leading to faster and more appropriate treatment. This webinar will describe the continued role antigen testing will play in managing and ending the COVID-19 pandemic, examine the clinical overlap between COVID-19, the flu, and other respiratory viruses, and demonstrate how combined SARS-CoV-2 & Flu A+B testing worksand its implementation into a facility. This webinar will: • Describe the continued role antigen testing will play in managing and ending the COVID-19 pandemic • Examine the clinical overlap between COVID-19, the flu, and other respiratory viruses, and how early intervention can reduce the spread and severity of illness • Demonstrate how combined SARS-CoV-2 & Flu A+B testing works, and how to implement it into a facility • Evaluate current patient intake protocols to determine if they are providing the best treatment possible with an emerging Flu season ![]() |
Presenters:![]() Integrated Diagnostic Solutions, BD Joseph Mann is a medical science liaison working in scientific affairs for Integrated Diagnostic Solutions at BD Life Sciences. He is a board certified family nurse practitioner licensed in the state of Maryland. ![]() Health Economics and Outcomes Research, BD Megan Wimmer is an Associate Director of Health Economics and Outcomes Research, with over ten years as part of the BD team advancing the world of health. Prior to BD, she worked in academia and has specialized experience in data analysis, computational modeling, epidemiology and infectious disease. |
||||||||||
Patient Sample Management and Chain of Custody: Modern Practices
for Modern Demands Live Event: Tuesday, December 7, 2021 | 1:00 - 2:00 PM ET P.A.C.E.® credit available until June 7, 2022 | Florida Laboratory Credit available |
![]() ![]() |
||||||||||
Pathology and histology laboratory managers are the custodians of vital
patient assets in the form of FFPE tissue blocks and slides generated
from tissue biopsies. In this role, laboratory managers must balance the
demands of federal, state, and local regulations to maintain secure
control over these vital assets with the need to have these assets
accessible for check-out requests. With cancer cases in particular, biopsied tissue samples are not only essential in the initial diagnosis, but continue to serve a vital purpose for those patients seeking to enroll in clinical trials. Enrolling in these trials can be extremely competitive and opportunistic, and often requires patients to submit their preserved tissue samples as part of the qualifying process for acceptance into a trial. If the sample takes too long to be located, or worse yet go missing, the patient may miss their chance for enrollment with potentially disatrous consequences both for that patient’s future and the reputation of the hospital in charge of maintaining secure custody of that sample. In this webinar, we will explore the increasing challenges in maintaining secure chains of custody and proper asset management practices for patient tissue samples, three different asset management models currently in practice, and a case study of Massachusetts General Hospital’s experience implementing an automated tissue management system. This webinar will: • Identify the factors that increase the demand on and complexity of tissue asset management practices • Discuss the pros and cons of leading asset management system methodologies • Examine via a case study how a digital tissue archiving solution can lead to increased security and fewer lost or misplaced samples |
Presenter: Joan Vesey, HTASCP Owner Red Fox Histology Solutions, LLC ![]() Joan is an accomplished histologist with over 30 years of experience in histology in both the clinical and laboratory setting encompassing applications, R&D and even owning her own histology consulting company. Joan helped develop some of the H&E staining consumables we’ve come to recognize in the industry, and her expertise aligns with Epredia’s mission and vision to improve lives by enhancing cancer diagnostics. |
||||||||||
Using Procalcitonin to Safely Reduce Antibiotic Use and Improve
Outcomes Live Event: Friday, November 12, 2021 | 1:00 - 2:00 PM ET P.A.C.E.® credit available until May 12, 2022 | Florida Laboratory Credit available |
![]() ![]() |
||||||||||
Overuse of antimicrobials is estimated at a rate of 50% in the acute
care setting. It is a practice that has been well documented for more
than thirty years. While most everyone acknowledges this overuse, the
rate has not improved since we began measuring the use of antibiotics.
Overuse can lead to poor patent outcomes, antibiotic resistance,
Clostridioides difficile infections (CDI), longer lengths of stay, more
adverse drug events, increased mortality, readmission, and increased
costs to the patient and hospital. This is understandable as clinicians tend to “err in favor of caution”. Clinical symptoms of many diagnoses are similar and it is often difficult to determine the need for antibiotics based on clinical presentation, radiology images, and markers other than procalcitonin (PCT). It is easy to fall prey to prescribing antibiotics “just to be sure” with the assumption that more is better. More appropriate prescribing and earlier cessation of antibiotics enabled by the use of a high sensitive and specific marker like procalcitonin has been shown in thousands of publications to safely reduce antimicrobial use while concurrently improving clinical outcomes and economic burden. This webinar will differentiate the pathophysiology and kinetics of procalcitonin in comparison to current biomarkers and establish the role of procalcitonin in antibiotic stewardship. This webinar will: • Differentiate the pathophysiology and kinetics of procalcitonin in comparison to current biomarkers • Establish the role of procalcitonin in antibiotic stewardship • Evaluate the expected clinical and financial outcomes of PCT-guided therapy |
Presenter: Dr. Mike Broyles, PharmD ![]() Dr. Broyles has more than 30 years of experience as a Hospital Pharmacy and Laboratory Director and 28 years consulting for a large IHN as their Pharmacy Advisory Chairman. Additionally, he has consulted for more than 25 of the 40 largest integrated health care networks in the U.S. on antimicrobial stewardship and procalcitonin use. He serves in antimicrobial stewardship roles for the State of Arkansas, Faculty for Medscape Infectious Diseases and Medscape Faculty for Biomarkers. |
||||||||||
Clinical Challenges of SARS-CoV2 and Antimicrobial Resistance Live Event: Tuesday, October 26, 2021 | 3:00 - 4:00 PM ET P.A.C.E.® credit available until April 16, 2022 | Florida Laboratory Credit available |
![]() ![]() |
||||||||||
COVID-19 has reshaped many aspects of healthcare. Not to be overlooked
is the impact of the pandemic on another major public health threat –
resistant bacterial pathogens. With the documented use of unnecessary
antibiotics early in the course of the spread of the virus, the
abandonment of routine stewardship initiatives in the face of
overwhelmed healthcare systems, and the deprioritization of resistance
surveillance, the threat posed by antimicrobial resistance remains
significant, and may have accelerated. Multi-drug resistance is challenging for institutions to manage, particularly if pathogens are transmitted among vulnerable patient populations. There may be few therapeutic options available, and they may be further limited by the compromised state of patients. Access to accurate diagnostic tools that can guide the most appropriate clinical decisions regarding these life-threatening infections is critical. Access to accurate antimicrobial susceptibility platforms in microbiology laboratories — that include drugs of last resort as well as novel drugs — can lead to more effective and optimal treatment decisions regarding resistant bacteria, ultimately improving patient outcomes. This webinar will: • Discuss the front-line challenges of COVID-19 from a clinical and laboratory perspective • Describe the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Antimicrobial Stewardship Principles • Examine the potential longer-term consequences of a viral pandemic on emerging bacterial resistance |
Presenter: James A. McKinnell, MD Associate Professor of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles; Division of Infectious Disease, LA-Biomed at Harbor UCLA Medical Center ![]() James A. McKinnell, M.D. is an Associate Professor of Medicine at the David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles. He is also a member of the Infectious Disease Clinical Outcome Research Unit (ID-CORE) and the Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-UCLA. He is a nationally-recognized infectious disease specialist with specific research interests related to the clinical management and prevention of healthcare-associated infections. |
||||||||||
The Future of Next Generation Sequencing in SARS Surveillance
and Precision Oncology Live Event: Thursday, October 7, 2021 | 1:00 - 2:00 PM ET P.A.C.E.® credit available until April 7, 2022 | Florida Laboratory Credit available |
![]() ![]() ![]() |
||||||||||
The lack of access to SAR-CoV-2 vaccines in much of the world, waning
immunity in vaccinated individuals, vaccine hesitancy, and failure to
follow social distancing and masking recommendations places significant
selective pressure for the continued emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants of
concern. Coordinated public health efforts to rapidly sequence
SARS-CoV-2 from samples is essential to detect and mitigate their impact
and spread. Utilizing the next gen sequencing, Dr. Leal will describe
how his laboratory was able to rapidly establish viral genome sequencing
and was the first to detect all major variants of concern in the State
of Alabama. The high accuracy, speed, and throughput enables his lab to
provide timely data to guide infection prevention and public health
interventions in his hospital system, region, and State. Historically, turnaround time for next gen sequencing has been lengthy. New developments within next-gen sequencing technology have enabled the turnaround time to be shortened significantly. In addition, the workflows are much simpler, and labs can be more efficient with personnel time and lab utilization. Dr. Mackinnon will discuss how these new advancements are enabling labs who are performing oncology testing using next gen sequencing. Modern sequencing technology has improved the operational capacity and efficiency of the lab, due to the low hands on requirements, rapid turnaround times, and simplified informatics. This webinar will: • Describe the current situation around SARS CoV-2 mutation emergence and why it is important to monitor emerging variants • Discuss how the University of Alabama implemented a next generation sequencing workflow to sequence samples to monitor the spread of variants across the state of Alabama • Evaluate how NGS can be used to successfully perform variant analysis • Discuss how the rapid turnaround time of NGS is making an impact compared to previous more lengthy turnaround times |
Presenters:![]() Assistant Professor Director, Clinical Microbiology, Fungal Reference Laboratory, Department of Pathology, Division of Laboratory Medicine UAB Medicine, The University of Alabama at Birmingham Dr. Sixto Leal received his MD/PhD training in the Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) at Case Western Reserve University, pathology residency training at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, and Microbiology fellowship training at the Cleveland Clinic. ![]() Director, Genomic Diagnostics and Bioinformatics University of Alabama at Birmingham Dr. Alexander “Craig” Mackinnon Jr. is the inaugural director of the Division of Genomics Diagnostics and Bioinformatics in the Department of Pathology School of Medicine at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Dr. Mackinnon is leading ongoing efforts to establish the Precision Diagnostic Laboratory at UAB. |
||||||||||
Demystifying the Development and Implementation of Molecular
Tests in a Clinical Laboratory Live Event: Wednesday, September 22, 2021 | 3:00 - 4:00 PM ET P.A.C.E.® credit available until March 22, 2022 | Florida Laboratory Credit available |
![]() ![]() |
||||||||||
Laboratory developed tests (LDTs) have historically been misunderstood
by some due to the perceived complexity of the design and implementation
process. In this webinar, we aim to educate attendees about the overall
process and benefits of LDTs to encourage labs to consider adding
molecular workflows for new applications, now that they are familiar
with qPCR through the pandemic. We will explain the benefits and help to demystify the process of implementing LDTs, define what a LDT is, discuss the various ways that LDTs can be developed, and explain how LDTs differ from IVD/CE-IVD tests. We’ll also discuss why a lab would want to develop it’s own LDT. For example, a lab may develop a LDT when there is no test currently available, such as for rare or new pathogens, including SARS-CoV-2. LDTs can also reduce the overall cost of performing a test in house. We will also describe how LDTs are regulated under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act (CLIA), and what the role of government agencies is in regulating these tests. This webinar will: • Describe different types of laboratory developed tests • Identify differences between laboratory developed tests and IVD-R tests • List the benefits of running a laboratory developed test • Explain how laboratory developed tests are designed and regulated in the US |
Presenter: Mara G. Aspinall Managing Director, Health Catalysts Group Professor of Practice, Biomedical Diagnostics Arizona State University ![]() Mara Aspinall is a healthcare industry leader and pioneer committed to active civic involvement. She is Managing Director and Co-Founder of BlueStone Venture Partners. Mara also heads the Health Catalysts Group, a consulting firm for HIT and Diagnostics, publishing the popular Health Catalysts Diagnostics Year in Review. |
||||||||||
The Importance of Pediatric Lipid Testing in the Diagnosis and
Treatment of Familial Hypercholesterolemia Live Event: Thursday, September 2, 2021 | 1:00 - 2:30 PM ET P.A.C.E.® credit available until March 2, 2022 | Florida Laboratory Credit available |
![]() ![]() |
||||||||||
Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a common genetic disorder leading
to elevated low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) from birth1.
Globally out of 220 children, approximately one child has FH, and
therefore an increased risk to suffer from early cardiovascular disease,
or even early death1. One
in ten premature myocardial infarctions (MI) is caused by FH2.
Yet 90% of the 1.3 million Americans with FH are unaware of their
condition, leading to premature atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease
(ASCVD).1,2 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines FH as a Tier 1 genomic application, i.e., having significant potential for positive impact on public health based on available evidenced-based guidelines and recommendations3. Yet implementation of evidenced based practices (EBP) for FH screening is suboptimal for many reasons, ranging from lack of FH awareness among both healthcare providers and the public, to the absence of a structured approach to screening, diagnosis and treatment4-6. Few health systems have adopted the 2011 recommendations of the National Heart Lung Blood Institute (NHLBI) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) to conduct universal screening of all children between the ages of 9-117. Pediatricians often note that they do not routinely send children for laboratory tests and also state that they feel inadequately prepared to treat elevated LDL-C levels in children6,8. In addition to FH education, pediatricians will benefit from point of care (POC) desktop analyzers for use in their offices. This webinar will: • Describe the specific genetics of FH and the benefits of early treatment of hypercholesterolemia associated with this genetic disorder1,9 • Examine the role of cascade screening in the diagnosis of FH1,3,4 • Identify the barriers to implementing universal pediatric lipid screening4-6,8 • Analyze the value of point of care (POC) lipid testing in pediatric offices – allowing parents and children to avoid a trip to a laboratory References: 1McGowan MP, Hosseini Dehkordi SH, Moriarty PM, Duell PB. Diagnosis and Treatment of Heterozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia. J Am Heart Assoc 2019;8:e013225. 2Singh A, Gupta A, Collins BL, et al. Familial hypercholesterolemia among young adults with myocardial infarction. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2019;73(19):2439-2450. 3CDC. Genomics & Precision Health. Tier 1 Genomic Application Toolkit for Public Health Departments: https://www.cdc.gov/genomics/implementation/toolkit/index.htm accessed January 31, 2021. 4Knowles JW, Rader DJ, Khoury MJ. Cascade Screening for Familial Hypercholesterolemia and the Use of Genetic Testing. JAMA 2017;318:381-382 5Lee C, Rivera-Valerio M, Bangash H, Prokop L, Kullo I. New case detection by cascade testing in familial hypercholesterolemia: A systematic review of the literature. Circ Genom Precis Med. 2019;12:e002723. 6Ferranti SD de et al. Cholesterol Screening and Treatment Practices and Preferences: A Survey of United States Pediatricians. J Pediatr 2017;185:99-105 7Expert Panel on Integrated Guidelines for Cardiovascular Health and Risk Reduction in Children and Adolescents, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Expert panel on integrated guidelines for cardiovascular health and risk reduction in children and adolescents: summary report. Pediatrics.2011;128(suppl 5):S213-S256 8Dixon DB, Kornblum AP, Ste_en LM, Zhou X, Steinberger J. Implementation of lipid screening guidelines in children by primary pediatric providers. J Pediatr 2014;164:572-. 9Luirink IK, Wiegman A, Kusters DM et al. 20-year follow-up of statins in children with familial hypercholesterolemia. N Engl J Med. 2019;381:1547-56. |
Presenter: Mary McGowan, MD Co-Director Lipid Clinic at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Heart and Vascular Center Chief Medical Officer The FH Foundation ![]() Dr. Mary McGowan is an Assistant Professor of Medicine at The Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth and the Co-Director of the Lipid Clinic at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Heart and Vascular Center. She is the Chief Medical Officer of the Familial Hypercholesterolemia Foundation. She is the author of numerous articles and 5 books. She has been the principal investigator on over 30 national and international clinical trials and has lectured widely in the United States, Canada, Europe and Asia on cholesterol metabolism. |
||||||||||
The Essential Role of Clinical Microbiology in Antimicrobial
Stewardship Live Event: Thursday, July 15, 2021 | 1:00 - 2:00 PM ET P.A.C.E.® credit available until January 15, 2022 | Florida Laboratory Credit available |
![]() ![]() |
||||||||||
The incidence of secondary bacterial infections during the COVID-19
pandemic has not mirrored that of past viral pandemics. This likely led
to unnecessary antimicrobial usage, particularly at the onset of the
pandemic. These treatment decisions are not aligned with the antibiotic
stewardship goals, and are associated with the risk of promoting
bacterial resistance and the development of multi-drug resistance
microorganisms (MDRO). The clinical microbiology lab can effectively support antibiotic stewardship principles and programs with the appropriate use of diagnostic testing and timely, clinically-relevant reporting of susceptibility results to positively impact patient outcomes, resistance rates and hospital costs. In this webinar, we will review the impact of COVID-19 on the microbiology laboratory, antimicrobial resistance, and the effective management of critically ill patients. It will also review antimicrobial testing challenges in critically ill patients, examine the impact clinical microbiology laboratory data can have on accurate treatment decisions and better management of critically ill patients, and outline the role the microbiology lab plays to support antimicrobial stewardship during a pandemic. This webinar will: • Examine the impact clinical microbiology laboratory data can have on accurate treatment decisions and better management of critically ill patients • Describe the impact that COVID-19 has had on antimicrobial resistance • Review antimicrobial testing challenges in critically ill patients • Outline the role the microbiology lab plays to support antimicrobial stewardship during a pandemic |
Presenter: Romney M. Humphries, Ph.D., D(ABMM), M(ASCP) Professor of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology Medical Director of the Microbiology Laboratory Vanderbilt University Medical Center ![]() Dr. Romney Humphries, Ph.D., D(ABMM), is a nationally recognized expert in antimicrobial susceptibility testing antimicrobial resistance (AMR). With expertise that includes improving the speed and accuracy of identifying antibiotic-resistant bacteria infecting patients to investigating novel resistance mechanisms and the evaluation of therapeutics designed to treat these critical infections, she currently serves as Medical Director of the Microbiology Laboratory at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. |
||||||||||
The Importance of Molecular Testing to Detect New
SARS-CoV-2 Mutations Live Event: Wednesday, June 16, 2021 | 1:00 - 2:00 PM ET P.A.C.E.® credit available until December 16, 2021 | Florida Laboratory Credit available |
![]() ![]() ![]() |
||||||||||
The emergence of novel SARS-CoV-2 variants can have profound effects on
efforts to fight the ongoing pandemic. Besides potentially being more
transmissible or more lethal, emerging variants can affect diagnostic
assays, lead to therapy resistance or reduced effectiveness of vaccines
for corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In this webinar we will
present an overview of approaches for genetic and genomic surveillance a
laboratory can apply depending on the technology and resources
available, in order to detect and discover new mutations in SARS-CoV-2. The webinar will provide details on the major molecular diagnostic methods and common molecular viral targets used for testing patients samples for SARS-CoV-2. We will also discuss the currently circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants, the mutations that characterize them and their functional effects on the biology of the virus. Different options for the detection, discrimination and discovery of emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants using genetic approaches will also be discussed. The webinar will provide an overview of different strategies such that laboratory professionals can efficiently utilize precious laboratory resources, while at the same time being able to successfully scale up surveillance testing as the world moves from a pandemic to an endemic environment. This webinar will: • Describe the major Emergency Use Authorization method categories used in U.S. clinical laboratories to detect SARS-COV-2 in patient samples • Contrast SARS-COV-2 patient testing to testing for the purpose of surveillance and epidemiology • Explore the currently circulating SARS-CoV2 variants, the mutations that characterize them and their functional effects on the biology of the virus • Examine different options for the detection, discrimination and discovery of emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants using genetic approaches |
Presenters:![]() Dr. Wolk serves as the Division Director for “Molecular and Microbial Diagnostics and Development” in the Department of Laboratory Medicine at Geisinger, an integrated healthcare delivery network serving ~ 3 million people in Central PA, pioneering the adoption of population health, precision medicine, and value-based care. ![]() Senior Manager, Global Scientific Communications, Thermo Fisher Scientific Dr. Feenstra has extensive diagnostic and research experience in genetics, cytogenetics and genomics. She has a PhD in experimental Oncology from the Medical University of Vienna, and has previously worked as a Senior Scientist at the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute in Vienna. |
||||||||||
Six Steps to an Effective Lockout Program within Healthcare Labs
and Facilities Live Event: Tuesday, May 25, 2021 | 1:00 - 2:00 PM ET P.A.C.E.® credit available until November 25, 2021 | Florida Laboratory Credit available |
![]() ![]() |
||||||||||
Whether you are in a healthcare laboratory or facility, OSHA’s Control
of Hazardous Energy regulation requires that energy sources must be
contained during servicing and maintenance to ensure worker safety.
Safety programs and procedures are many times not on top of mind in the
healthcare labs, even though they are held to the same OSHA standards as
the the maintenance areas. Energy sources that are found both inside and
outside of the healthcare labs can include electrical, mechanical,
hydraulic, pneumatic, chemical, thermal or other sources in machines and
equipment. When such hazardous energy sources are not properly
controlled, workers servicing or maintaining the machines or equipment
may end up seriously injured or even killed. The regulatory standard (29 CFR 1910.147) also requires that: “The employer shall establish a(n) (energy control) program consisting of energy control procedures, employee training and periodic inspections to ensure that before any employee performs any servicing or maintenance on a machine or equipment where the unexpected energizing, startup or release of stored energy could occur and cause injury, the machine or equipment shall be isolated from the energy source and rendered inoperative." Year after year, lockout tagout compliance continues to appear on OSHA’s Top 10 Cited Standards list. The majority of those citations are due to a lack of proper lockout procedures, program documentation, periodic inspections or other procedural elements. This webinar will examine OSHA’s requirements for your lockout program and why it’s important for healthcare labs and facilities, identify the 6 Steps to an Effective Lockout Program for Healthcare Labs and Facilities, discuss the common failures or complacency that may exist in a program’s present state, and more. This webinar will: • Examine OSHA requirements for your lockout program and why it’s important for healthcare labs and facilities • Identify the 6 Steps to an Effective Lockout Program for Healthcare Labs and Facilities • Discuss the common failures or complacency that may exist in a program’s present state • Review best practices for starting/refreshing a Lockout Tagout program through standardization |
Presenters: Carlos Soria Product Manager, Brady’s Lockout Tagout Devices & Padlocks ![]() Ben Caccese Product Manager, Brady’s Lockout Tagout Devices & Padlocks ![]() |
||||||||||
Community Acquired Pneumonia: Diagnosis and Treatment During the COVID-19 Era Live Event: Tuesday, January 26, 2021 | 1:00 - 2:00 PM ET P.A.C.E.® & AARC credit available until July 26, 2021 | Florida Laboratory Credit available |
![]() ![]() |
||||||||||
This PACE and AARC accredited webinar focuses on community acquired
pneumonia (CAP) and two important pathogens that cause pneumonia. S.
pneumonia is the leading cause of CAP. Legionella causes Legionnaires’
Disease, a severe form of pneumonia that has increased 9-fold since year
2000 in the United States. In light of COVID-19 related temporary
shutdowns of businesses and buildings, the risk of for growth and spread
of Legionella is of heightened concern. In the laboratory, urinary antigen testing (UAT) provides an alternate diagnostic path to identify pneumonia etiologies without disrupting respiratory testing workflow during respiratory season. The practical utility of pneumonia diagnosis, the use of UAT and their impact will be discussed. Join this expert discussion to explore the challenges of managing pneumonia during the COVID-19 era, and the value of UAT from an evidence-based and Infectious Diseases Society of America / American Thoracic Society (IDSA/ATS) guidelines-supported expert assessment for clinical and laboratory professionals. This webinar will: • Describe the relationship of COVID-19 and pneumonia and the associated public health risks • Examine experiences and best practices for evaluating and managing COVID-19 patients with pneumonia • Explain the guidance and practical clinical value of UAT, including mortality reduction and antibiotic stewardship • Discuss UAT performance characteristics and potential value related to laboratory workflow in times of strained respiratory testing resources |
Presenter: Antonio Anzueto, MD Professor, Department of Medicine University of Texas San Antonio and Chief, Pulmonary Section, South Texas Veterans Health Care System ![]() Dr. Anzueto is Chief in the pulmonary section of The South Texas Veterans Health Care System, Audie L. Murphy Memorial Veterans Hospital Division in San Antonio, Texas, where he also serves as Medical Director of the Respiratory Therapy Department and Medical Director of the Pulmonary Function Laboratory. He is also a professor in the department of medicine at the University of Texas Health at San Antonio. |
||||||||||
The Essential Role of Clinical Microbiology in Antimicrobial Stewardship Live Event: Thursday, December 10, 2020 | 2:00 - 3:00 PM ET PACE® credit available until June 10, 2021 | Florida Laboratory CE Credit available |
![]() ![]() |
||||||||||
The principle problem that exists is not about what Antimicrobial
Stewardship is, but more about what data the microbiology lab to is able
to deliver that will support and enhance the overarching goals of the
program for the institution. A lack of alignment can prevent investment
in new methods, access to new therapeutics and effective management of
the most critically ill patients. The platforms that can be used in the
microbiology laboratory and collaboration between stewardship programs
and the microbiology lab can ensure susceptibility testing data is
leveraged to optimize treatment decisions, reduce length of stay and
adverse effects. This will also improve patient safety and outcomes
particularly in critically ill patients. This webinar will discuss the role the microbiology lab should play to help ensure that antimicrobial stewardship programs are successful, identify core elements of microbiology laboratory testing and reporting that promote stewardship, and illustrate how microbiology lab data can positively influence clinical decisions. This webinar will: • Discuss the role the microbiology lab should play to help ensure that antimicrobial stewardship programs are successful • Identify core elements of microbiology laboratory testing and reporting that promote stewardship • Illustrate how microbiology lab data can positively influence clinical decisions • Describe the antimicrobial therapy challenges for core stewardship stakeholder that critically-ill patients pose |
Presenter: Romney M. Humphries, Ph.D., D(ABMM), M(ASCP) Professor of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology Medical Director of the Microbiology Laboratory Vanderbilt University Medical Center ![]() Dr. Romney Humphries, Ph.D., D(ABMM), is a nationally recognized expert in antimicrobial susceptibility testing antimicrobial resistance (AMR). With expertise that includes improving the speed and accuracy of identifying antibiotic-resistant bacteria infecting patients to investigating novel resistance mechanisms and the evaluation of therapeutics designed to treat these critical infections, she currently serves as Medical Director of the Microbiology Laboratory at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. |
||||||||||
Using Biomarkers to Inform COVID-19 Treatment Live Event: Tuesday, December 8, 2020 | 1:00 - 2:00 PM ET PACE® credit available until June 8, 2021 | Florida Laboratory CE Credit available |
![]() ![]() |
||||||||||
Infection with SARS-CoV-2 results in COVID-19. This infection has
systemic manifestations, including acute lung injury, cardiac damage,
and in rare cases a Kawasaki disease-like illness. With rising cases of
COVID-19 nationally, clinicians benefit from tools to assist decisions
regarding triage, advanced imaging, and treatment decision making. Biomarker testing has emerged as a potentially useful tool to facilitate clinical decision making. Biomarker testing may inform risks in patients with COVID-19, prognosticating poor outcome and as such be helpful to decide on where patients are admitted (e.g. medical floor vs ICU), how they are imaged, and whether to apply more advanced treatments. In this discussion, review of data will focus on use of troponins, natriuretic peptides, and other biomarkers in a clinically-focused synthesis of how biomarkers might be used in COVID-19. This webinar will: • Examine the causes of cardiac injury in COVID-19 • Describe the relationship of the development of a Kawasaki disease-like illness to COVID-19 • Identify biomarkers with potential utility in COVID-19 • Develop a strategy to utilize biomarkers to facilitate clinical care in COVID-19 |
Presenter: James Januzzi, MD Hutter Family Professor of Medicine Harvard Medical School ![]() Dr. Januzzi is a member of the Cardiology Division of the Massachusetts General Hospital and the Hutter Family Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School. He is an accomplished clinician and clinical trialist, with a research focus on biomarker testing in cardiovascular disease. He has more than 650 publications and is an editor at two journals from the American College of Cardiology journals. |
||||||||||
Point of Care Molecular Testing: Streamlining Cancer Care from
the Anatomic Pathologist’s Office Live Event: Wednesday, December 2, 2020 | 1:00 - 2:00 PM ET PACE® credit available until June 2, 2021 | Florida Laboratory CE Credit available |
![]() ![]() |
||||||||||
Delays in biomarker test results can have adverse affects on the
outcomes for cancer patients. Often times, the biomarker report is
delivered back to the oncologist long after the patient begins
treatment. It is common for patients to not only miss out on treatment
opportunities, but also to be prescribed the wrong treatment if the
oncologist does not receive the molecular data in time. With the latest
advancements in next-generation sequencing (NGS), it is now possible to
get full molecular results as quickly and easy as you get your
immunohistochemistry (IHC) results today. Attend this event to hear first-hand how physicians at William Osler Health System in Brampton, Ontario are leveraging in-house NGS testing to deliver better cancer care to patients and improve the outcomes of their system. By doing so, oncologists receive the genomic testing results faster and are able to ensure they are prescribing the most appropriate treatment for the patient. This webinar will: • Describe the role of ancillary biomarker testing in the treatment of cancer patients • Analyze how delays in test results can adversely affect cancer care • Identify areas within your own lab or network that impede biomarker results • Explore how existing and novel techniques can help support oncology practice within your center |
Presenters:
|
||||||||||
Leading Edge SARS-CoV-2 Testing Live Event: Monday, November 30, 2020 | 2:00 - 3:00 PM ET PACE® credit available until May 30, 2021 | Florida Laboratory CE Credit available |
![]() ![]() |
||||||||||
As many continue to tackle the day to day battle against COVID-19
disease it is critical that we share the latest leading insights for
this virus, collectively ensuring learning for all. This webinar will be
a scientific exchange of insights from a leading expert in his field.
Helping share a detailed overview of the current known information on
the disease and exploring the variety of diagnostics that can be used to
understand prevalence. The discussion will conclude with thoughts on the
upcoming winter season and how the management of Flu and COVID-19 will
be at the forefront of healthcare challenges in the coming months and
how leading edge technology and thinking may be the only route to
success, helping to save lives and protect communities. This webinar will: • Identify what we know to date about COVID-19 & SARS-CoV-2 • Discuss the forecasted impact of the disease • Assess treatment options for COVID-19 • Explain the role of diagnostics and available diagnostic options • Describe Flu vs COVID-19 • Explore insights that help to inform the next 12 months |
Presenter: Jeff Andrews, MD, FRCSC Worldwide Medical Director Molecular Diagnostics & Women’s Health and Cancer, BD Integrated Diagnostic Solutions BD Life Sciences ![]() Jeff Andrews, MD, FRCSC is the Worldwide Medical Director for Women’s Health and Cancer, BD Life Sciences. A Board-Certified Obstetrician and Gynecologist, Dr. Andrews has provided care in community settings in both metropolitan Toronto, Ontario, Canada and Washington, DC. He has also provided care in academic settings as an Associate Professor at Duke University Medical Center and at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. |
||||||||||
Taking a Systematic Approach to Drive Behavior Change in
Diabetic Patients Live Event: Wednesday, November 4, 2020 | 1:00 - 2:00 PM ET PACE® credit available until May 4, 2021 | Florida Laboratory CE Credit available |
![]() ![]() |
||||||||||
Diabetes remains a major focus for healthcare providers and chronic
disease management programs. Over 29 million people in the U.S has
diabetes1, with 33–49% of
patients not meeting targets goals for A1C, blood pressure and
cholesterol2. However, a
major barrier to optimal care is a delivery system that is often
fragmented, lacks clinical information capabilities, and is poorly
designed for the coordinated delivery of chronic care. Successful diabetes care requires a systematic approach to supporting patients’ behavior change efforts, including the utilization of multi-disciplinary care teams, personalized provider feedback, continuous real-time monitoring, and decision support tools to target and care for patients at risk for poor outcomes. Ultimately, healthcare institutions are looking for ways to tailor population care to meet individual patient needs, through integrated technologies that help to optimally manage and prevent diabetes in the future. Join Abbott, with Dr. Chad Malone, and learn how to drive clinical practice to standards that provide the best outcome for pre-diabetic, and diabetics populations. 1 https://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/39/Supplement_1/S6. Accessed 9/30/2020. 2 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5536329/. Accessed 9/30/2020. This webinar will: • Create a health care delivery systems that can proactively identify your diabetes populations and provide them with evidence-based patient-centered care • Empower your patients to feel like the most important part of their care team by creating a complete picture of their diabetes in the context of their life, enabling personalized lifestyle and treatment changes • Form a complete picture of your diabetic population, and identify gaps in population management as well as individual outcomes • Enable a continuous model of chronic disease management and efficiently achieve quality measures
|
Presenter: Chad Malone, MD Director, Global Medical Information and Clinical Excellence Solutions Abbott ![]() Dr. Chad Malone has 25 years of digital healthcare entrepreneurship within clinical and translational sciences. He graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in Japanese; holds an M.D. from Ross University School of Medicine and performed a residency in Anesthesia at the University of Rochester. |
||||||||||
Importance of Sample Collection and Transport In the Age of COVID-19:
Virology and Bacteriology Aspects Live Event: Tuesday, June 9, 2020 | 1:00 - 2:00 PM ET PACE® credit available until December 9, 2020 | Florida Laboratory CE Credit available |
![]() ![]() |
||||||||||
For diagnostic testing, proper sample
collection and transport play a pivotal role in the accurate and timely
identification of a pathogen. When testing for respiratory virus, the
gold standard for sample collection is a specialized flocked swab used
to collect a sample from the nasopharynx, which is then transported in
viral transport media. At the beginning of 2020, swab specimen collection became a household topic as the Coronavirus (COVID-19) unleashed a global pandemic. Researchers, assay manufacturers, FDA and CDC considered the different types of swabs and transport media which could be used to sample collection and transport for COVID testing. In this webinar, we will take an in-depth look at specimen collection swabs, the quality procedures required for manufacturing, the different types and how they are used to collect samples. We’ll explore guidance from FDA and CDC on the recommended swabs, collection sites and transport media, how these recommendations evolved over the weeks during the pandemic, and role that self-collection will play in the future of respiratory viral testing. This webinar will: • Identify the types of swabs which are commonly used for sample collection for respiratory viruses and describe the differences between each • Describe the types of transport media which are commonly used for sample collection for respiratory viruses and the differences between each • Examine the 4 key factors which make up a good respiratory specimen for viral detection • Discuss the evolution of swabs and transport media for respiratory viruses and the importance of materials, biocompatibility and QC in the downstream |
Presenter: Susan Sharp, PhD., (D)ABMM, (F)AAM, MS, MT(ASCP) Scientific Director Copan Diagnostics, Inc. ![]() Dr. Sharp has been a clinical microbiologist and a very active member of The American Society for Microbiology (ASM) for 30 years serving on various boards and committees. She is a Diplomat of the American Board of Medical Microbiology (ABMM) and a Fellow in the American Academy of Microbiology. She is also an active member of the Board of Scientific Councilors for the Office of Infectious Diseases of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and a member of the College of Pathologists Microbiology Resource Committee. Dr. Sharp is a Past-President of ASM and a former member of ASM’s Board of Directors. |
||||||||||
How Culture Media Can Deliver Value to Your Lab Live Event: Monday, March 16, 2020 | 2:00 - 3:00 PM ET PACE® credit available until September 16, 2020 | Florida Laboratory CE Credit available |
![]() ![]() |
||||||||||
While performance standards of prepared culture media are consistent
among various manufacturers, when sourcing items from a new supplier,
laboratory personnel may find that the general attributes of both the
media and microorganisms differ. In this webinar, Nathan Ledeboer, PhD,
will teach participants how to distinguish growth and isolation
characteristics of normal flora and pathogens between two leading
suppliers of prepared media plates: Thermo Scientific™and BD. Additionally, Ledeboer will present the physical differences of enrichment, selective, and differential media available from the two manufacturers through side by side comparisons. He will also address the growing impact of automation on the microbiology laboratory by discussing a case study that highlights new and evolving technologies to improve efficiency and productivity in the processing of clinical samples. This webinar is designed to designed to provide the lab professional with the skill and insight to effectively handle the implementation of Thermo Scientific microbiology prepared media by reviewing several critical aspects to onboarding a new prepared media supplier, including common procedures and policies for adopting new media and impact to workflow, ordering, delivery, and media storage and handling. This webinar will: • Explain differential identification of organisms on plates originating from different manufacturers • Discuss the differences in plate composition and construction using the new plate technology • Examine the differences in morphology in the presentation of organisms on plates • Discuss about advances in clinical microbiology using automation |
Presenters::
|
||||||||||
The Impact of Rapid Molecular Panel-based Testing for Urinary
Tract Infections Live Event: Thursday, February 27, 2020 | 1:00 - 2:00 PM ET PACE® credit available until August 27, 2020 | Florida Laboratory CE Credit available |
![]() ![]() |
||||||||||
This webinar will focus on recently published data demonstrating the
clinical impact of molecular tests in Urinary Tract Infections have
traditionally been diagnosed based on culture-based microbiology tests –
which take a long time to result, can lack sensitivity and specificity,
and are prone to contamination. In the last 18 months, the first
commercially available molecular tests for Urinary Tract Infections were
made available to laboratories – providing large amounts of data on the
impact of these tests on UTI testing. In this webinar, we will provide
the latest clinical, economic, and laboratory impact data as a result of
introducing molecular panel-based testing. The webinar will also address problems and limitations of culture-based testing for urinary tract infection (UTI), provide an update on clinical trials and rapid molecular testing for UTIs in practice, and discuss the economic impact of molecular testing for UTIs. This webinar will: • Identify the problems and limitations of culture-based testing for urinary tract infection (UTI) • Describe the current clinical trials and trends rapid molecular testing for UTIs in practice • Examine the economic impact and reimbursement trends in molecular testing for UTIs To access the white paper, "Using Flexible-Content Syndromic Panels to Help Manage Infectious Disease: Update on Laboratory Trends and Health Outcomes" CLICK HERE. |
Presenters:
|
||||||||||
The Key to Successful Antimicrobial Stewardship:
Interdisciplinary Teams Live Event: Wednesday, January 22, 2020 | 1:00 - 2:00 PM ET PACE® credit available until July 22, 2020 | Florida Laboratory CE Credit available |
![]() ![]() |
||||||||||
New drug development has been in decline and antimicrobial resistance
has been steadily on the rise. This dynamic has resulted in the
development of multi-drug resistant microorganisms (MDRO) and challenges
in managing the resulting complicated infections. Antimicrobial
Stewardship Programs have key objectives to promote the appropriate use
of antimicrobials, improve patient outcomes, reduce microbial resistance
and decrease the spread of infections caused by MDROs. Multi drug resistance is particularly challenging for institutions to manage, particularly if they are transmitted among vulnerable patient populations. Optimal therapeutic options may be few and further limited by toxicity that can further compromise patients. Accurate diagnostic tools that can guide the most appropriate clinical decisions in these life-threatening infections are critical. Microbiology laboratories with access to accurate antimicrobial susceptibility platforms that include drugs of last resort as well as novel drugs can lead to more effective and optimal treatment decisions, reducing cost of stay and improving patient outcomes. This webinar will: • Discuss how current budgeting practices between the microbiology laboratory, the pharmacy, and the hospital has created some bizarre incentives that can impact the practice of antibiotic stewardship. • Explain how creative approaches to the use of older antibiotics might either harm or benefit patients. • Explain how microbiology laboratories with access to accurate antimicrobial susceptibility platforms, including drugs of last resort as well as novel drugs can lead to more effective and optimal treatment decisions, reducing cost of stay and improving patient outcomes. |
Presenter: James A. McKinnell, MD Assistant Professor of Medicine David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles ![]() James A. McKinnell, M.D. is an Assistant Professor of Medicine at the David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles. He is also a member of the Infectious Disease Clinical Outcome Research Unit (ID-CORE) and the Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-UCLA. He is a nationally-recognized infectious disease specialist with specific research interests related to the clinical management and prevention of healthcare-associated infections. |
||||||||||
Procalcitonin Aided Antibiotic Stewardship: The New Paradigm Live Event: Thursday, December 5, 2019 | 1:00 - 2:00 PM EST PACE® credit available until June 5, 2020 | Florida Laboratory CE Credit available |
![]() ![]() |
||||||||||
Signs and symptoms of bacterial, viral infection and non-infectious
diagnosis overlap lack of specificity in most biomarkers cause many
prescribers to give antibiotics erring in favor of caution or "just to
be sure". Statistically up to 50% of antibiotics prescribed in hospitals
are unnecessary. Overprescribing antibiotics has led to resistant
bacteria which is making it harder to treat. Procalcitonin can aid in severity assessment and evaluation of therapy choices, and attendees will gain an understanding of the role of procalcitonin in antibiotic stewardship as well as the expected clinical and health economic outcomes of procalcitonin guided therapy. This webinar will describe the pathophysiology and kinetics of Procalcitonin during sepsis and infection and discuss the concept of Procalcitonin-aided antibiotic stewardship in sepsis and low respiratory tract infections. It will also compare and contrast the costs and outcomes with PCT-aided antibiotic therapy decisions compared to standard care in specific published patient population studies and summarize the most impactful cost components and value drivers of PCT testing. This webinar will: • Describe the pathophysiology and kinetics of Procalcitonin during sepsis and infection • Discuss the concept of Procalcitonin-aided antibiotic stewardship in sepsis and low respiratory tract infections • Compare and contrast the costs and outcomes with PCT-aided antibiotic therapy decisions compared to standard care in specific published patient population studies • Summarize the most impactful cost components and value drivers of PCT testing
|
Presenter: Michael R Broyles, BSPharm, RPh, PharmD Director of Pharmacy and Laboratory Services Five Rivers Medical Center, Pocahontas, Arkansas ![]() Mike Broyles, PharmD, is director of pharmacy and laboratory services at Five Rivers Medical Center in Pocahontas, Arkansas. He received his BSPharm degree in pharmaceutical sciences from the University of Missouri-Kansas City and his PharmD from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. With more than 25 years of experience as a hospital pharmacy director and laboratory director, Mike enjoys educating patients on current concepts in the clinical use of drugs. |
||||||||||
Capillary Electrophoresis: Genetic Disease Testing for
Challenging Targets in the Modern Clinical Lab Live Event: Thursday, October 31, 2019 | 1:00 - 2:00 PM EST PACE® credit available until May 1, 2020 | Florida Laboratory CE Credit available |
![]() ![]() |
||||||||||
The fast-paced development of new sequencing technologies offer rapidly
growing options for molecular testing of genetic disorders. This can
make it challenging for clinical labs to offer the best diagnostic
technology or assay for the many diverse diagnostic scenarios they face.
One of the key advantages of capillary electrophoresis versus
next-generation sequencing is its capability to sequence difficult
regions specifically long, repeat expansion DNA sequences and copy
number variants as observed in neurological disorders such as Fragile X
Syndrome and Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). With rising awareness of genetic diseases and personalized medicine, testing for these disorders is becoming increasingly important for diagnosis and genetic screening in newborns and disease carriers in expecting parents. This trend that will no doubt continue as targeted genetic therapies, like those recently approved for SMA, are developed for other genetic diseases. This webinar will discuss the basics of capillary electrophoresis as a platform for DNA analysis in a modern clinical laboratory. By coupling this platform with novel PCR methods, we will demonstrate how this technology can be used screen and diagnose disorders associated with challenging repetitive DNA and copy number variants. This webinar will: • Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of capillary electrophoresis for nucleic acid diagnostics compared to other methods • Describe the importance of genetic disease testing for carrier screening and newborn screening applications • Discuss how the roles of capillary electrophoresis and genetic disease testing have changed over time—and how they might change in the future |
Presenter: John N. Milligan, Ph.D. Senior Scientist, Product Development Asuragen ![]() Dr. Milligan is a Senior Scientist in product development at Asuragen in Austin, TX, where he develops and validates assays for the testing of hereditary and oncological genetic diseases. He earned his doctorate in Molecular Biology at the University of Texas, where his work focused on point of care diagnostics and protein engineering, including engineering a novel polymerase for use with isothermal amplification and strand displacement applications. |
||||||||||
Mitigating the Risk of Bacterial Contamination of Platelets:
Recent Developments Live Event: Monday, October 21, 2019 | 8:15 - 9:15 AM EST PACE® credit available until April 21, 2020 | Florida Laboratory CE Credit available |
![]() ![]() |
||||||||||
If you won't be attending the 2019 American Association of Blood Banks
annual meeting in San Antonio this year, we have you covered! This
webinar will be held in conjunction with a live conference at AABB (thus
the early start). Join us for a session that will cover the latest
developments and the recommendations in the FDA Final Guidance that will
define how blood collection centers and hospital blood banks and
transfusion services will need to operate moving forward. This webinar will identify the extent and nature of the risk for bacterial risk in platelets and review FDA final guidance and the options for addressing this risk and their implications. It will also describe the role of rapid testing in satisfying the FDA guidance and discuss recent advances in rapid testing technology for bacteria in platelets. Learn how you can take advantage of the latest science to most cost-effectively meet the requirements of the new FDA Final Guidance. This webinar will: • Identify the extent and nature of the risk for bacterial risk in platelets • Review FDA Final guidance and the options for addressing this risk and their implications • Describe the role of rapid testing in satisfying the FDA guidance • Discuss recent advances in rapid testing technology for bacteria in platelets
|
Presenter: Michael R. Jacobs, MD, PhD Professor Emeritus, Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University; Director Emeritus, Clinical Microbiology, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center ![]() Dr. Jacobs is a world renowned expert on the risks of bacterial contamination in platelet components. He has published landmark research on this topic and has been a leader in improving public health by shaping clinical practices and policy in this area. |
||||||||||
Antimicrobial Stewardship and the Role of Improved Diagnosis in
the Management of Acute Respiratory Tract Infections Live Event: Tuesday, September 17, 2019 | 1:00 - 2:00 PM EST PACE® credit available until March 17, 2020 | Florida Laboratory CE Credit available |
![]() ![]() |
||||||||||
Acute respiratory tract infections (ARI) are a very common clinical
presentation, and one of the main drivers of antimicrobial prescribing
in adults and children. Many (perhaps the majority) antibiotic
prescriptions are thought to be inappropriate, driving antibiotic
resistance, adverse effects from antibiotics, and care seeking
behaviors. Improved diagnostic accuracy is one major strategy for better targeting the use of antibiotics and antivirals. For ARI there are two main groups of diagnostic tests (above and beyond clinical features, which alone are not reliable): tests to detect pathogens in respiratory samples, and tests that try to assess the body’s response to determine if an infection is from viral or bacterial etiology. In this presentation we will focus on newer tests that have advanced point of care diagnostic tests for common infections namely Group A streptococcal, influenza, and RSV. The majority of tests currently for Group A strep, for example, rely on detecting antigens in throat culture, but these lack sensitivity (and specificity to some extent) and lead to significant number of false negative results. This then leads to the need for back up laboratory verification of point of care antigen tests, which in turn leads to delays in correct prescribing, patient and clinical staff burden. New point of care molecular tests for Group A strep offer very high sensitivity and specificity, and are likely to replace existing rapid antigen tests. Guidelines for Group A strep (as well as other common infections such as influenza) are slowly shifting to acknowledge the superior accuracy of point of care molecular tests. This session will discuss the evidence of testing at the point of care for influenza, RSV and Group A strep. It will also compare the performance of different testing modalities, and discuss how diagnostics can aid healthcare providers with their stewardship efforts. This webinar will: • Discuss antimicrobial resistance and antimicrobial prescribing patterns in the US, with a focus on acute respiratory infections • Examine peer reviewed literature on the performance of point of care diagnostic tests for influenza, RSV, and Group A Strep • Review the benefits of decentralized testing for respiratory pathogens • Analyze current guidelines and recommendations for detection of respiratory pathogens
|
Presenter: Matthew Thompson, MD, MPH, PhD Professor, Dept Family Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle ![]() Dr Thompson is the Helen D. Cohen endowed Professor and Vice Chair for Research at the University of Washington Department of Family Medicine. He completed his residency training in family medicine at the University of Cincinnati, a Master’s degree in public health at the University of Washington, and Doctorate at the University of Oxford. Dr Thompson has a particular interest in improving the accuracy of diagnosis of respiratory tract infections in order to guide more appropriate antimicrobial prescribing. This research has included the use of point of care tests for group A strep, influenza, and inflammatory markers. He has also published extensively on the use of clinical prediction rules to identify individuals at higher risk of serious infections. |
||||||||||
The Importance of Tissue Quality for Molecular Techniques Live Event: Thursday, September 5, 2019 | 1:00 - 2:00 PM EST PACE® credit available until March 5, 2020 | Florida Laboratory CE Credit available |
![]() ![]() |
||||||||||
Invalid test results from next generation sequencing (NSG) and other
molecular assays negatively impacts patient care. The histology
laboratory supports molecular pathology through tissue specimen
preparation; and although we have learned over the last decade that
certain pre-analytical factors influence the outcome of
immunohistochemical assays, we are still learning what factors impact
molecular results. In traditional histology we know that downstream methods cannot compensate for a poorly fixed or processed tissue specimen. If a poor quality tissue is processed, you will get a poor quality tissue out again. Histology labs have created SOPs and techniques to help mitigate this, and typically, routine surgical specimens deliver high quality H&E slides and IHC slides. With the advent of molecular methods to detect specific biomarkers, specimen quality definitions are evolving. What we once treasured as a good quality tissue block for routine histopathology and IHC may not necessarily meet quality standards for techniques such as next generation sequencing or proteomics. In this webinar we will consider what the requirements are for a high quality specimen in the context of molecular methods, the technical problems we sometimes encounter as histotechnologists while preparing these specimens, and how we can mitigate these issues. Comparative studies will be discussed, along with quality control methods to test for tissue quality. This webinar will: • Describe the tissue quality requirements for optimal molecular pathology test results • Identify the steps required in the sample preparation workflow for better results • Examine the quality control procedures necessary in the histology lab to help ensure high quality specimen
|
Presenter: Jennifer Freeland, MS, HTL(ASCP)cm Global Market Development Manager, Epredia ![]() Jennifer Freedland is a board of registry certified histotechnologist with the American Society of Clinical Pathology. She has over 20 years experience in routine histology, immunohistochemistry, and molecular and cellular biology. She earned her Bachelors degree in Biomedical Science from Western Michigan University and her Masters of Science degree in Biotechnology from Johns Hopkins University. Jennifer has worked in clinical histology and research labs, as well as research & development, quality, technical consulting, and now serves as a global market development manager for Epredia. |
||||||||||
New ASM C. Difficile Infection Guidelines and Rapid Diagnostic
Testing Recommendations Live Event: Thursday, August 29, 2019 | 1:00 - 2:00 PM EST PACE® credit available until February 29, 2020 | Florida Laboratory CE Credit available |
![]() ![]() |
||||||||||
In a healthcare environment like a hospital or nursing home, Clostridium
difficile Infection (CDI) can be spread quickly through touching
contaminated surfaces or by person-to-person contact. C. difficile
causes an inflammation of the colon that can lead to serious,
life-threatening conditions, especially in immunocompromised or elderly
patients. The problem is so widespread, C. difficile infection (CDI) is
linked to more than 30,000 deaths a year in the United States — rivaling
the 32,000 killed in traffic accidents. The demands for C. difficile testing have continued to evolve over the last several years. While focus had been increasingly on the need for highly accurate detection of the organism, there has been a renewed interest in the detection of the toxins that cause the disease. Colonized C. difficile carriers are 5-10 times more common than patients with active infections in hospitals. Treating carriers is often ineffective and increases the risk to the patient of developing C. difficile diarrhea. Increases in reported C.difficile infection (CDI) have spotlighted diagnostic protocols and initiatives to reduce overcalling the disease. This educational webinar provides expert perspectives on the recent update to the ASM C.difficile infection guidelines and a review of IDSA guidelines and other clinical evidence that describe the analytical and clinical utility of diagnostic tests and protocols for C.difficile. This webinar will: • Review and analyze the latest ASM C. difficile guidelines • Discuss IDSA guidelines and how guidelines fit into clinical diagnosis • Review analytical detection vs. clinical diagnosis. • Identify and describe the various C. difficile diagnostic test methods including EIA, PCR and other molecular methods
|
Presenter: James Snyder, Ph.D., Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and Chief of Microbiology, University of Louisville Hospital ![]() Dr. Snyder serves as the American Society for Microbiology Representative to the Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL) Working Group for Response to Bioterrorism and Emerging Infectious Diseases. He is a Member of the American Society for Microbiology Laboratory Practices Committee, serves as the coordinator of the Sentinel Level Laboratory Protocols for Biothreat and Emerging Infectious Diseases and is a Member of the American Society for Microbiology Expert Panel for the development of Evidenced-Based Laboratory Guidelines. |
||||||||||
New IDSA Influenza Guidelines and Their Impact on Rapid Testing Live Event: Wednesday, August 21, 2019 | 1:00 - 2:00 PM EST PACE® credit available until February 21, 2020 | Florida Laboratory CE Credit available |
![]() ![]() ![]() |
||||||||||
This educational webinar provides expert perspectives on rapid influenza
testing, recent IDSA guidelines and the value of rapid molecular
testing. Lateral flow tests for influenza are widely utilized in
assessing patients with suspected influenza for their speed and
relatively inexpensive cost. Results are available in as few as 4 to 16
minutes to help quickly guide treatment decisions and care pathways. New
test standards implemented in 2018 require at least 80% sensitivity for
influenza tests, however, remain less sensitive than molecular tests.
New IDSA influenza guidelines encourage the use of molecular tests,
which help increase detection and guide more appropriate and timely use
of antivirals and antibiotics. Dr. Cameron Wolfe, Associate Professor of
Medicine: Division of Infectious Diseases & International Health at Duke
University Medical Center and co-author on the latest IDSA guidelines,
will present the new flu guidelines and rationale for using tests with
higher sensitivity for improved clinical and patient benefits. As there are multiple molecular tests for influenza, the decision and process for selecting a rapid molecular flu test can be a significant task. Our program will provide an overview of the various rapid flu tests including the similarities and differences of rapid molecular technology for both high volume flu testing and decentralized/point of care applications. Studies showing the value of rapid molecular testing will also be reviewed. Lastly, we will spotlight the recent experience of selecting and implementing rapid molecular influenza testing across an entire integrated health network; hospital lab, emergency department, urgent care and physician offices. Dr. Joel Mortensen, Director, Diagnostic Infectious Diseases Testing Laboratory, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at Cincinnati Children’s, will share his experience on the evaluation process, decision and the implementation best practices and key learnings to help guide others that may be embarking on a similar project. This webinar will: • Identify and describe the latest IDSA influenza guidelines • Discuss of the various influenza test methods including EIA, PCR and other molecular methods • Review evidence supporting the value of rapid molecular influenza testing • Discuss the recent evaluation and implementation of rapid molecular influenza testing across an integrated health network
|
Presenters:
|
||||||||||
Diagnostics for Group B Strep: The Role of the Clinical
Microbiology Lab in Prenatal Screening Live Event: Thursday, July 18, 2019 | 12:00 - 1:00 PM EST PACE® credit available until January 18, 2020 | Florida Laboratory CE Credit available |
![]() ![]() |
||||||||||
Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a leading cause of neonatal sepsis and
meningitis. Prenatal screening of pregnant women has decreased the rate
of early-onset GBS disease in the United States. The incidence of
late-onset GBS disease has largely remained unchanged by current
screening practices. Clinical microbiology laboratories can impact the
care of GBS colonized women and GBS infected neonates. GBS screening recommendations include culture of a vagino-rectal specimen at 35 – 37 weeks gestation using an enriched culture-based approach. Molecular assays are associated with higher sensitivity and specificity, with faster time to results as compared to culture and can significantly improve patient care. This webinar will review the current recommendations for GBS detection in pregnant patients, highlight the various methods available to clinical microbiology laboratories, and will discuss the role molecular methods can play in detection of GBS by the clinical microbiology laboratory. This webinar will: • Discuss the current recommendations for GBS screening to detect colonization of pregnant patients • Identify the role of clinical microbiology laboratories in GBS screening • Examine the utility of molecular-based testing for detection of GBS colonization
|
Presenter: Gerald A. Capraro, PhD, D(ABMM) Carolinas Pathology Group, Atrium Health Charlotte, North Carolina ![]() Dr. Capraro is the medical director of the Clinical Microbiology laboratory for Atrium Health in Charlotte, NC. He earned his PhD in Microbiology & Immunology from Wake Forest University and completed his fellowship training at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. He is Board certified in Medical and Public Health Microbiology. He is actively involved in the American Society for Microbiology, the Pan-American Society for Clinical Virology, and CLSI. |
||||||||||
What you’re Missing in your Respiratory Pathogen Detection Live Event: Monday, June 24, 2019 | 1:00 - 2:00 PM EST PACE® credit available until December 24, 2019 | Florida Laboratory CE Credit available |
![]() ![]() |
||||||||||
Influenza and non-Influenza respiratory tract virus related infections
are one of the most common reasons reported for physician visits and
hospitalization globally. The economic burden associated with these
viral infections, within the United States, are upwards of $50 billion
annually. Concomitant or subsequent co-infections of the respiratory
tract by pneumonia causing pathogenic bacteria like Streptococcus
pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis and
Staphylococcus aureus are often observed in patients suffering from
these respiratory viral infections and contribute to significant
co-morbidity and mortality. While the development of new panel-based syndromic molecular solutions for pathogen detection has provided benefits to laboratories, some challenges still exist including throughput scalability, reducing the cost per sample, and flexibility of content. Overcoming these challenges is necessary in order to cater to the ever-changing needs of those ordering the tests. Join us as we discuss the impact that real-time PCR testing can have on respiratory pathogen detection in laboratories. Hear from presenters at laboratories that have implemented these solutions, gained greater insights into respiratory pathogen detection, and scaled the solution to meet varying throughput requirements. This webinar will: • Identify the limitations in current traditional testing methods for respiratory infections • Describe the importance of simultaneously testing multiple pathogen types in respiratory infections – including viral, bacterial, and fungal • Examine new technology options to help test multiple respiratory pathogens simultaneously • Discuss the considerations involved in transitioning to these new technologies |
Presenters:
|
||||||||||
Urine Drug Testing and its Impact on the Opioid Crisis Live Event: Tuesday, June 18, 2019 | 1:00 - 2:00 PM EST PACE® credit available until December 18, 2019 | Florida Laboratory CE Credit available |
![]() ![]() |
||||||||||
There continues to be an opioid epidemic in the US with 2.4 million
Americans estimated to have an opioid disorder and over 42,000 dying
from drug overdose every year. Today clinicians are facing legal risk
regarding the opioid prescriptions that they are writing and if any
testing were done before and during the length of these prescriptions.
To help combat this opioid crisis the CDC, CMS and AACC have developed
testing guidelines for screening and monitoring. The webinar will discuss the crisis, the current testing guidelines and how best to screen and monitor patients that are prescribed opioids. We will go through real life case studies in which testing had a positive impact on patient care and offer suggestions on best practices for implementing opioid testing protocols in your own facility. This webinar will: • Differentiate between In-Office Qualitative Testing & Laboratory Quantitative Testing • Discuss the legal risk of not screening and monitoring for Opioids • Discuss methods used to interpret unexpected Urine Drug Testing results • Explain how to incorporate Urine Drug Testing results into ongoing clinical assessment and decision making
|
Presenter: Jeffrey Fudin, B.S., Pharm.D., FCCP, FASHP, Anesthesiology/Pain Management at Albany Medical Center Hospital CEO and CMO, Remitigate, LLC, Delmar, NY ![]() Dr. Fudin serves on the New York State Board of Medicine Office of Professional Conduct. He is a Diplomate to the Academy of Integrative Pain Management and a Fellow of both the American College of Clinical Pharmacy and the American Society of Health-system Pharmacists. He is considered a national expert in pharmacogenetics, forensic pharmacy, and advanced pain therapeutics. |
||||||||||
Urinary Tract Infections: Improving Clinical Management and Outcomes Live Event: Wednesday, May 29, 2019 | 1:00 - 2:00 PM EST PACE® credit available until November 29, 2019 | Florida Laboratory CE Credit available |
![]() ![]() |
||||||||||
There are
more than 250 million UTIs diagnosed worldwide each year, accounting for
$6 billion in direct healthcare expenditures, a 21% hospital readmission
rate in the US and a 2.3% mortality rate. Because the incidence and cost
to the healthcare system is so significant and urine samples are one of
the highest volume specimen types received in a clinical microbiology
laboratory, proper management of testing is critical to both the
laboratory workflow and to patient diagnosis and treatment. UTIs are not
only the most common human bacterial infection, they are also the most
common reason for prescribing antibiotics. By providing robust
diagnostic test results in a shorter timeframe, the level of unnecessary
administration of empiric antibiotics should be greatly reduced,
facilitating antibiotic stewardship and, ultimately, improving patient
care. This webinar will provide an overview of these approaches and review published studies comparing the new technologies to gold-standard methods. It will also help participants understand the true economic costs of UTIs and potential strategies to help reduce the work-flow burden and costs in hospital laboratories. This webinar will: • Review the burden of UTIs in dollars, time and health outcomes • Discuss available diagnostic technologies to detect UTIs • Describe the correlation between rising antibiotic resistance and inappropriate antibiotic treatments • Identify opportunities to improve clinical management of UTI to improve patient care and outcomes
|
Presenter: Rangaraj Selvarangan, BVSc, PhD, D(ABMM), FIDSA, Professor UMKC School of Medicine ![]() Dr. Rangaraj Selvarangan is the Director of Microbiology and Virology Laboratory and Director of Laboratory Medicine Research at Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City. He is a Professor in Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine and Professor in Division of Infectious Diseases, Children’s Mercy Hospital. |
||||||||||
The Etiology of Community-Acquired Pneumonia: Does Data Support the Guidelines? Live Event: Thursday, May 23, 2019 | 1:00 - 2:00 PM EST PACE® credit available until November 23, 2019 | Florida Laboratory CE Credit available |
![]() ![]() |
||||||||||
Pneumonia is an acute alveolar lung infection that presents with
infiltrates upon chest imaging and is often accompanied by fever, cough,
sputum production, and physical findings of consolidation and elevated
white blood counts.1
Globally, pneumonia causes more deaths than any other infectious disease
and, along with influenza, is the eighth leading cause of death in the
United States.1,2 Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) can be caused by bacterial, viral, fungal, and zoonotic organisms and can cause mild to severe illness in people of all ages. Certain people are more likely to become ill with pneumonia. This includes adults 65 years of age or older and children less than 5 years of age.2 Pneumonia can often be prevented with vaccines and can usually be treated with antibiotics or antiviral drugs. The diagnosis of CAP by clinical presentation along with the presence of diagnostic chest x-ray findings can help guide empiric treatment with the most narrow spectrum and safest drug possible. In this webinar, we’ll review organisms currently thought to cause CAP, describe the possible role of normal respiratory flora as an etiologic agent of CAP, and relate guidelines for empiric therapy to the etiologic agents. References: 1Woolfrey KG. Pneumonia in adults: the practical emergency department perspective. Emerg Med Clin North Am. 2012; 30(2):249-70. 2http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs331/en/index.html 3https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nvsr/nvsr67/nvsr67_05.pdf This webinar will: • Recognize organisms currently thought to cause community-acquired pneumonia • Describe the possible role of normal respiratory flora as an etiologic agent of CAP • Examine the relationship between guidelines for empiric therapy and the etiologic agents
|
Presenter: Daniel M. Musher, M.D. Professor of Medicine-Infectious Disease Baylor College of Medicine ![]() Listed as one of the best doctors in the nation in the field of infectious disease, Daniel M. Musher, M.D., Infectious Disease Section chief at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) and professor of Medicine-Infectious Disease at Baylor College of Medicine, is the recipient of the 2007 Infectious Diseases Society of America Clinical Teacher Award from the Infectious Disease Society of America. A national expert in respiratory and gastrointestinal infections, he is a frequent author of review articles for prestigious medical journals such as the New England Journal of Medicine. Dr. Musher holds a VA Merit Review grant for study of immunization to protect veterans against pneumococcal pneumonia. |
||||||||||
Next Generation Sequencing Implementation in a Clinical Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory Live Event: Wednesday, May 1, 2019 | 1:00 - 2:00 PM EST PACE® credit available until November 1, 2019 | Florida Laboratory CE Credit available |
![]() ![]() |
||||||||||
Next-generation sequencing (NGS) has quickly emerged as a useful tool to
study multiple genes and mutation types in a single assay, thus
preserving tissue and reducing time to results. Sentara Healthcare is a
regional hospital system spanning 12 hospitals and more than 200
physicians’ offices across Virginia and North Carolina. The molecular
diagnostics lab, located at its flagship hospital, serves as the
reference lab for the entire system. Through test menu optimization,
provider outreach, capital acquisitions and method validations, the
molecular diagnostics reference lab has been able to successfully
insource and implement NGS testing within the Sentara Healthcare
network. Insourcing NGS has affected aspects of the lab such as tissue conservation, turnaround times and costs. NGS implementation to streamline genetic and molecular testing will be discussed throughout this presentation. The webinar will describe how next generation sequencing has emerged as a useful tool to study multiple genes and mutation types in a single assay and illustrate how a molecular diagnostics reference lab has successfully implemented NGS testing within the Sentara Healthcare Network. This webinar will: • Describe how next generation sequencing has emerged as a useful tool to study multiple genes and mutation types in a single assay • Illustrate how a molecular diagnostics reference lab has successfully implemented NGS testing within the Sentara Healthcare Network • Discuss the ways in which this implementation has affected tissue conservation, turnaround times and costs |
Presenter: Tabetha Sundin, PhD, HCLD (ABB), MB (ASCP)CM, Scientific Director Molecular Diagnostics and Serology Sentara Healthcare, Norfolk, VA ![]() Tabetha Sundin, PhD, HCLD (ABB), MB (ASCP)CM, has over 10 years of laboratory experience in cancer biology and clinical molecular diagnostics. She is an active member of the Association of Molecular Pathology (AMP) and involved with numerous efforts to support the molecular diagnostics field with American Medical Technologists (AMT) and Clinical & Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI). |
||||||||||
Challenging Bacterial Infections: The Clinical Impact of Critical Microbiology Results Live Event: Tuesday, April 23, 2019 | 3:00 - 4:00 PM EST PACE® credit available until October 23, 2019 | Florida Laboratory CE Credit available |
![]() ![]() |
||||||||||
Clinicians expect the microbiology laboratory to provide accurate
antimicrobial susceptibility testing results to guide their treatment
decisions. Reliable susceptibility results are never more important than
when addressing today’s most serious bacterial infections including
carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonas and Acinetobacter. By attending this webinar, microbiologists will learn how they can help steer antibiotic treatment choices that are critical to patient care, including reliable detection of existing and emerging resistance to new drugs, as well as antimicrobials of last resort. Clinicians will have an opportunity to gain insight into the results from microbiology laboratories that can potentially impact patient care. This webinar will: • Discuss a challenging case from a clinical and laboratory perspective • Evaluate testing options for rapid identification of resistant infections • Discuss changing epidemiology of Candida infections • Discuss the need for ongoing breakpoint updates
|
Presenter: James A. McKinnell, MD Assistant Professor of Medicine David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles ![]() James A. McKinnell, M.D. is an Assistant Professor of Medicine at the David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles. He is a nationally-recognized infectious disease specialist with specific research interests related to the clinical management and prevention of healthcare-associated infections. He has published over 40 papers, many with emphasis on optimal use of antibiotics and antimicrobial resistance within the community. |
||||||||||
Biotin May Interfere with Lab Tests: The Impact is Coast to
Coast Live Event: Tuesday, February 5, 2019 | 1:00 - 2:00 PM EST PACE® credit available until August 5, 2019 | Florida Laboratory CE Credit available |
![]() ![]() |
||||||||||
Market Research data shows that Biotin supplements continue to grow
based on their use for health and beauty. Retail stores continue to show
high levels of sales growth of Biotin doses of 10,000 mcg, not to
mention that Biotin currently is the #1 selling supplement on Amazon. Biotin has been in the news due to the interference it can cause for certain technologies that exists in the market place for laboratory testing. With the high concentration of biotin that people are taking, it is important to know the facts and options available when treating patients. Our presenter will share firsthand stories illustrating the science behind what causes the interference, how Biotin interference has impacted the nation and how he has mitigated risk of potential interference at his facility. This webinar will: • Describe the magnitude of Biotin consumption in the U.S. • Illustrate the science behind how Biotin supplementation can potentially impact lab test results through firsthand stories from an experienced lab director • Examine methods to eliminate the risk of biotin interference in the laboratory |
Presenter: Spencer Waitman, MLS, (ASCP) Laboratory Director Medical Park Family Care ![]() Spencer Waitman MLS (ASCP) cm is currently the Laboratory Director at Medical Family Care Inc. in Anchorage, Alaska. Spencer has over 15 years of experience with Clinical Lab Medicine and continues to be a thought leader when providing clinical decision support to his patients. |
||||||||||
H. pylori Diagnosis: Considerations for Selecting the
Appropriate Testing Methodology Live Event: Wednesday, December 5, 2018 | 1:00 - 2:00 PM EST PACE® credit available until June 5, 2019 | Florida Laboratory CE Credit available |
![]() ![]() |
||||||||||
In the United States, 20% of the population under 30 and 50% of the
population over 60 are infected with H. pylori. H. pylori
infections may be asymptomatic, but can lead to dyspepsia or serious
complications such as duodenal and gastric ulcers, an increased risk of
gastric cancer and higher rates of mucosal associated lymphoid-type
lymphoma. Several invasive and non-invasive methodologies are currently available for determining current infection, before and after eradication therapy. Each testing methodology for H. pylori poses advantages and disadvantages to the laboratory, patient, and institution. In this webinar, we explore how to select the appropriate testing methodology by balancing performance, economics, workflow, and patient care. This webinar will: • Evaluate the appropriate testing methodology by balancing performance, economics, and workflow • Discuss the best patient care by providing accurate results for appropriate care within a test-treat-test framework, while also taking into account economic and convenience considerations for the patient • Examine the process of protecting the economic health and reputation of the institution while providng the best patient care |
Presenter: David Lyerly, PhD Chief Scientific Officer TECHLAB ![]() David Lyerly, Ph.D. has published >120 peer-reviewed publications on intestinal disease. He is a frequent invited speaker at regional, national, and international meetings and an invited reviewer for numerous journals and committees. |
||||||||||
Implementing Next-Generation Sequencing for Precision Oncology
Testing Live Event: Thursday, November 29, 2018 | 1:00 - 2:00 PM EST PACE® credit available until May 29, 2019 | Florida Laboratory CE Credit available |
![]() ![]() |
||||||||||
According to a recent study by the Tufts Center for the Study of Drug
Development, the majority of cancer treatments in the pipeline have an
associated genomic biomarker and this trend is expected to increase in
the coming years. With this evolution in the clinical oncology
landscape, academic medical centers and hospital systems alike have
adopted diagnostic precision medicine tools like next-generation
sequencing (NGS). NGS enables labs to rapidly and simultaneously test
many genomic biomarkers from just a few nanograms of precious
formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) clinical specimens. As the
number of clinically actionable biomarkers continues to expand, these
approaches will continue to play a critical diagnostic role in the
clinical laboratory setting. In this webinar, our expert speaker will highlight the clinical and economic considerations for implementing an NGS-based personalized medicine program and discuss case studies that demonstrate the benefits of broad genomic profiling across a wide variety of cancer types. This webinar will: • Describe the decision making process in deciding whether to implement next-generation sequencing in a clinical pathology lab setting • Identify the variety of testing strategies and chemistries available • Review example case studies where NGS is uniquely suited to provide novel clinical insights |
Presenter: Brian D. Piening, PhD Associate Director, Providence St. Joseph Health (PSJH), Molecular Genomics Laboratory ![]() Dr. Piening is currently the Associate Director of the Providence St. Joseph Health (PSJH) Molecular Genomics Laboratory and Assistant Member and head of the Tumor Immunogenomics Laboratory at the Earle A. Chiles Research Institute and Providence Cancer Center in Portland, OR. |
||||||||||
The Status of Microsatellite Instability Testing and its Role in
Colorectal Cancer Live Event: Monday, November 19, 2018 | 1:00 - 2:00 PM EST PACE® credit available until May 19, 2019 | Florida Laboratory CE Credit available |
![]() ![]() |
||||||||||
Microsatellite Instability (MSI) is a hyper-mutation phenotype resulting
from mutations in one or more mismatch repair (MMR) proteins. MSI
testing has been a rapidly evolving field, both in terms of clinical
applications for MSI testing as well as methodologies available to
perform MSI testing. In the first portion of his talk, Dr. Mackinnon
will provide an update on the current state of MSI testing. As requests for MSI evaluation increase, it will be important for labs to be able to perform MSI testing in a timely and accurate manner. Traditional molecular testing techniques for MSI are often challenging to perform. They require high levels of operator expertise as well as analysis of a normal tissue components, since the traditional biomarkers are not tumor specific. Dr. Mackinnon has evaluated a novel set of MSI biomarkers that are analyzed by fully automated testing platform, making MSI testing accessible to virtually any lab. He will present the performance data from a cross-platform comparison of IHC and two different molecular MSI evaluation methods and share results for 50 colorectal cancer samples tested by all three methods. This webinar will: • Describe the two main testing strategies for MSI testing • Identify the reasons/clinical applications for performing MSI testing and what MSI-High vs. Microsatellite Stable (MSS) results means • Analyze the performance of three MSI testing technologies, i.e., IHC + 2 molecular testing methods |
Presenter: Alexander Craig Mackinnon, MD PhD Associate Professor of Pathology Director, Clinical and Translational Research Core Lab ![]() Dr. Mackinnon is an Associate Professor of Pathology and the current Director of the Clinical and Translational Research Core Laboratory at Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee, WI. He received his bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Colorado and his master’s degree in neuroscience from Northwestern University where he spent time researching Alzheimer’s Disease. He went on to receive both his MD and PhD in Cell and Structural Biology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. |
||||||||||
The Impact of Flexible Panel-Based Solutions for Pathogen
Detection Live Event: Wednesday, November 7, 2018 | 1:00 - 2:00 PM EST PACE® credit available until May 7, 2019 | Florida Laboratory CE Credit available |
![]() ![]() |
||||||||||
The development of molecular testing methods for pathogen detection has
led to improved sensitivity, specificity and turnaround time compared
with traditional culture-based methods of analysis. However, current
commercially available molecular tests can be limited by the number of
set pathogenic markers. This means that if a result is not conclusive,
additional testing may be required – leading to increased time to
answer, and additional cost. Panel-based, syndromic approaches to pathogen detection can present numerous benefits to the clinical laboratory – including simplification in ordering, testing of multiple pathogens above and beyond the “usual suspects”, ease of use, rapid turnaround time, and reduced need to send-out samples to other laboratories. This webinar will provide you with the knowledge to understand the economic and laboratory operational impact of using syndromic panels in pathogen detection, and how this type of testing can be implemented in the laboratory. Dr Schutzbank will lead a panel discussion of laboratories from around the world that have implemented flexible content syndromic testing for pathogen detection testing. To help illustrate specific case studies in this area, Dr Sandeep Mukherjee will then discuss the application of this in bacterial vaginitis investigations, and Dr Li will discuss how this can impact respiratory pathogen detection. This webinar will: • Discuss the impact of flexible content syndromic panels from a laboratory operational perspective • Describe how flexible content syndromic panels affects the number of reflex tests the laboratory due to test consolidation • Analyze the effects of flexible content syndromic panels on laboratory costs |
|
||||||||||
100 Years Since the Spanish Flu: Current Standards for Flu
Pandemic Preparedness Live Event: Tuesday, October 16, 2018 | 1:00 - 2:00 PM EST PACE® credit available until April 16, 2019 | Florida Laboratory CE Credit available |
![]() ![]() |
||||||||||
Last year’s influenza season was a challenging one with a recorded
higher prevalence of infection caused by what had been considered a less
virulent strain of the virus. This was compounded by a vaccine that did
not appear to be as effective against that particular strain along with
higher infant mortality and hospital admittance rates than had been
predicted. As a result of the higher prevalence of illness, there was a
shortage in the availability of rapid influenza tests which many clinics
and physicians experienced. In this P.A.C.E.®-accredited Fisher Healthcare webinar, Dr.Sally Hojvat will discuss the FDA's reclassification of rapid flu tests in detail. She will also discuss how our understanding of the flu has advanced over the past 100 years, and how we've been able to improve vaccination strategies, surveillance, and our preparedness for future pandemics. This webinar will: • Discuss the importance of having reliable, high performing diagnostic tests, especially for higher risk patients • Describe how the FDA monitors compliance with the recently updated performance standards for rapid flu tests • Explain how to determine whether a test meets FDA-required sensitivity and specificity • Identify the most suitable tests for different testing scenarios • Review the pros and cons of molecular and serological tests, plus manual and automated platforms
|
Presenter: Sally Hojvat, PhD Senior Consultant, Partners in Diagnostics ![]() Dr. Sally Hojvat holds a PhD in Biochemistry from Loyola University, before spending nearly two decades in the Diagnostic Division of Abbott Laboratories. She then worked 12 years for the FDA as the Director of the Division of Microbiology Devices and currently consults for the World Health Organization (WHO) and other non-profit and commercial IVD companies. |
||||||||||
Learn Lean: Simple Ways to Improve Lab Efficiency and Accuracy Live Event: Thursday, October 4, 2018 | 1:00 - 2:00 PM EST PACE® credit available until April 4, 2019 | Florida Laboratory CE Credit available |
![]() ![]() |
||||||||||
Reimbursement for many tests is being reduced year by year, and the CMS
has stated that this will continue through 2020. Laboratories must
become more efficient. One way is to apply the proven Lean principles in
designing the way the work and the laboratory is structured. Lean Manufacturing is based on principles that differ from the way histology has been organized and practiced over the years. It is based on small batches and limited inventory. The basics and the tools are easy to learn, with a slight adjustment in the way we think about organizing our work. By applying the thought process and some of the tools, many laboratories have made significant advances in their efficiency. It is quite possible to make a start with just the basic training and some clear thinking. This webinar is designed to provide that training. It will review and redefine workflow in ways that will identify improvements, and identify and implement ways of making workflow more efficient. This webinar will: • Describe the basic principles underlying Lean workflow planning • Identify and discuss the tools of Lean Manufacturing • Apply these principles to the laboratory to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and reduce the risk of errors |
Presenter: Peter Kilner Global Market Development Manager Thermo Fisher Scientific ![]() Peter Kilner is a Global Market Development Manager with Thermo Fisher Scientific. He has previously held the posts of Marketing Manager in the USA and in Europe, as well as Product Manager for tissue processing and staining equipment. |
||||||||||
Liquid Based Microbiology: Simplify Sample Collection and Transport to Improve Patient Care Live Event: Wednesday, August 29, 2018 | 1:00 - 2:00 PM EDT PACE® credit available until February 28, 2019 | Florida Laboratory CE Credit available |
![]() ![]() |
||||||||||
There are many challenges facing the clinical
microbiology laboratory today and tremendous pressure to perform quality
testing efficiently while limiting additional cost to the medical
institution. Many laboratories are being asked to streamline sample
collection
products due to consolidation. In doing so, laboratories must
strategically evaluate each sample to determine the best type of
collection and transport system. SWABS Traditionally, swab samples are collected using dacron or rayon swabs which consist of yards of fiber wrapped around an applicator stick. Using these swabs much of the patient sample becomes trapped in the matrix of fiber. The result is that up to 90% of the sample stays with the swab and is unavailable for testing. Fiber wrapped swabs are also challenging to use on automated specimen processors without manual intervention. FECES Currently, after collecting the fecal sample, a quantity (typically 1-2 grams) of feces is placed into a transport media tube. This process can be unpleasant and messy. Traditional fecal containers are large and bulky and not ideal for streamlined collection, transport or automation. SPUTUM Sputum is a challenging sample in the microbiology laboratory as it can be very viscous and difficult to manage. To liquefy for easier manual or automated specimen processing, liquefying solutions are often used. These reagents are mixed in large batches which may go to waste if not used within 48 hours. URINE Urine containers come in a variety of different shapes and sizes. The vacuum style containers require the additional step of placing the sample into a more automation friendly container/tube. This webinar will give an overview of these approaches and review published studies comparing the new technologies to gold-standard methods. This webinar will: • Identify the resources available to validate, convert and train users on Liquid Based Microbiology (LBM) products • Analyze clinical studies and impact of LBM products on microbiology laboratories across the world • Discuss LBM products and understand how they impact automation in clinical microbiology |
Presenter: Susan Sharp, PhD., (D)ABMM, (F)AAM, MS, MT(ASCP) Director of Scientific Affairs Copan Diagnostics, Inc. ![]() Dr. Sharp received her B.S. in Medical Technology and her M.S. in Medical Microbiology & Biochemistry from the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska. She received her Ph.D. in Veterinary Microbiology and Parasitology from the Veterinary School of Medicine, Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas. She then did a 2-year post-doctorate fellowship in Clinical Microbiology in the Department of Pathology, Division of Microbiology, at Hartford Hospital in Hartford, Connecticut. |
||||||||||
Considerations in UTI Detection and its Potential Impact on
Antibiotic Stewardship Live Event: Tuesday, July 24, 2018 | 1:00 - 2:00 PM EDT PACE® credit available until January 23, 2018 | Florida Laboratory CE Credit available |
![]() ![]() |
||||||||||
Urinary tract infections (UTI) are a leading cause of health care
visits. Consequently, urine specimens are one of the most frequent
specimen types submitted to laboratories, yet the majority of specimens
prove to be negative for UTI after evaluation by standard methods.
Plate-based culturing remains the gold standard for UTI detection,
requiring 24-48 hours before results are available. Urinalysis (UA) is
an automated approach that provides more rapid results than standard
culturing, but this method can suffer from poor sensitivity and
specificity, resulting in the improper management of patient care. There are newer technologies available today that improve our ability to detect UTI faster with higher specificity. These include mass spectrometry and a newly approved technology that uses laser light scatter to detect low density bacterial infection. By providing robust results in a shorter timeframe, the level of unnecessary administration of empiric antibiotics should be greatly reduced, facilitating antibiotic stewardship and, ultimately, improving patient care. This webinar will give an overview of these approaches and review published studies comparing the new technologies to gold-standard methods. This webinar will: • Describe the traditional and advanced diagnostic methods for UTI and their impact on patient diagnosis. • Examine the role urinary tract infections play in inappropriate antibiotic use and increasing antibiotic resistance. • Discuss the healthcare burden of UTIs in terms of dollars, time, and health outcomes |
Presenter: Erin H. Graf, Ph.D., D(ABMM), Director Infectious Disease Diagnostics Laboratory The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia ![]() Dr. Graf is the Director of the Infectious Disease Diagnostics Laboratory at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. She is also an Assistant Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at The University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Graf completed her Ph.D. in Cell and Molecular Biology in the Perelman School of Medicine at The University of Pennsylvania studying HIV latency. Dr. Graf is board certified in medical microbiology. Her research interests include sequence-based diagnostics in clinical microbiology, including the applications of next generation sequencing and metagenomics, as well as emerging technologies for rapid diagnostics. |
||||||||||
Influenza Testing and the FDA Reclassification: Where do We Go
from Here? Live Event: Wednesday, June 6, 2018 | 1:00 - 2:00 PM EDT PACE® credit available until December 5, 2018 | Florida Laboratory CE Credit available |
![]() ![]() |
||||||||||
FDA Influenza Reclassification went into full effect in January 2018.
This change placed additional requirements on influenza lateral flow
assay manufactures. As a result,, some assays were removed from the
market. This change in influenza assay availability challenged some testing facilities to adjust their assay use, or to purchase excess inventory for the 2017/2018 influenza season. Now that the 2017/2018 influenza season has passed, testing facilities that did not implement an FDA-approved test will need determine their influenza testing plans for the 2018/2019 influenza season and beyond. This educational webinar will review flu testing challenges faced during the 2017/2018 influenza season, including discussion on the management and mitigation of highly seasonal testing and a review of testing options for the 2018/2019 season. The session will also analyze the pros and cons of each type of influenza testing. This webinar will: • Review FDA Influenza Reclassification Requirements to provide understanding of changes following the January 2018 enforcement date • Identify the different types of influenza tests available, following FDA Influenza Reclassification • Analyze the pros and cons of each type of influenza testing • Discuss the 2017/2018 influenza season and lessons learned to prepare for future season |
Presenter: Gregory J. Berry, Ph.D., D(ABMM) Director, Molecular Diagnostics Assistant Director, Division of Infectious Disease Diagnostics Northwell Health Laboratories ![]() Dr. Berry is a Diplomate of the American Board of Medical Microbiology and an Assistant Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell. He is also the Director of Molecular Diagnostics and an Assistant Director of Infectious Disease Diagnostics at Northwell Health Laboratories in New York. |
||||||||||
Reducing Time to Result for Urinary Tract Pathogen Detection
Utilizing Real-Time PCR Technology Live Event: Wednesday, May 30, 2018 | 1:00 - 2:00 PM EDT PACE® credit available until November 29, 2018 | Florida Laboratory CE Credit available |
![]() ![]() |
||||||||||
Although widely used, culture-based methods for the detection of
pathogens involved in Urinary Tract Infections (UTI) can lack
sensitivity resulting in the possibility of pathogens not being
detected. They can also be subjective leading to misinterpretation of
results, take a long time resulting in reduced lab efficiency, and they
have been shown to miss a significant percentage of positive cases. In
fact, some studies show that almost 30% of positive cases are missed
using culture-based methods A molecular alternative to culture-based methods, real-time PCR technology, increases specificity and sensitivity, with over 25% increased accuracy in urinary tract pathogen detection when compared to culture methods in under 5 hours. Real-time PCR in pathogen detection can identify slow-growing, difficult-to-cultivate microorganisms, and can be used when culture-based techniques are inadequate, ambiguous, time-consuming, difficult, and/or too costly. Clinical validation data demonstrated that when compared with urine specimen culture, real-time PCR detected 97% of samples where urinary tract pathogens were present, vs culture which detected only 71% of cases where pathogens were present.1 This webinar will compare molecular testing for urinary tract pathogen detection to traditional culture-based testing methods, examine the sensitivity, specificity and turnaround time of molecular testing techniques for UTI pathogen detection, and discuss the current impact of UTI’s in the US and globally, including health economic impacts and how new testing methods can potentially impact laboratory efficiency. 1For research use only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures. This webinar will: • Compare molecular testing for urinary tract pathogen detection to traditional culture-based testing methods • Examine the sensitivity, specificity and turnaround time of molecular testing techniques for UTI pathogen detection • Discuss the current impact of UTI’s in the US and globally, including health economic impacts and how new testing methods can potentially impact laboratory efficiency |
Presenter: David Baunoch, PhD President and Chief Executive Officer Pathnostics ![]() With over 25 years of laboratory experience, Dr. Baunoch has extensive experience in all areas of Lab Services. Dr. Baunoch received his PhD in Microbiology and Molecular Genetics from Wayne State University and completed a NIH Postdoctoral Fellowship in Breast Cancer Research at the Michigan Cancer Foundation. He is widely published, with over 25 peer-reviewed publications. |
||||||||||
Clostridium difficile Infection Guideline Update:
Understanding the Data Behind the Recommendations Live Event: Tuesday, May 8, 2018 | 1:00 - 2:00 PM EDT PACE® credit available until November 7, 2018 | Florida Laboratory CE Credit available |
![]() ![]() |
||||||||||
In a healthcare environment like a hospital or nursing home,
Clostridium difficile Infection (CDI) can be spread quickly through
touching contaminated surfaces or by person-to-person contact. C.
difficile causes an inflammation of the colon that can lead to
serious, life-threatening conditions, especially in immunocompromised or
elderly patients. The problem is so widespread, C. difficile
infection (CDI) is linked to more than 30,000 deaths a year in the
United States — rivaling the 32,000 killed in traffic accidents. The demands for C. difficile testing have continued to evolve over the last several years. While the focus had been increasingly on the need for highly accurate detection of the organism, there has been a renewed interest in the detection of the toxins that cause the disease. Colonized C. difficile carriers are 5-10 times more common than patients with active infections in hospitals. Treating carriers is often ineffective and increases the risk to the patient of developing C. difficile diarrhea. C. difficile infections pose a serious threat and require rapid clinical decisions. This webinar will review the 2017 IDSA/SHEA CDI guideline update treatment recommendations, describe how the 2017 IDSA/SHEA CDI guideline update recommendations on C. difficile diagnostics will apply to a patient population, and identify how the microbiology laboratory can assist in C. difficile infection prevention. This webinar will: • Review the 2017 IDSA/SHEA CDI guideline update treatment recommendations • Describe how the 2017 IDSA/SHEA CDI guideline update recommendations on C. difficile diagnostics will apply to a patient population • Identify how the microbiology laboratory can assist in C. difficile infection prevention |
Presenter: Erik Dubberke, MD Associate Professor of Medicine Washington University School of Medicine St. Louis, MO ![]() Dr. Dubberke is an Associate Professor of Medicine at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, where he has been a faculty member in the Division of Infectious Diseases since 2005. His main research interests are in the epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI). He is the lead author of the CDI component of the SHEA compendium to prevent healthcare associated infections, and is a panel member on the update of the SHEA/IDSA CDI clinical guidelines. |
||||||||||
Anti-Heparin Platelet Factor 4 Antibodies: Risking a Potentially
Catastrophic Occurrence Live Event: Thursday, April 5, 2018 | 1:00 - 2:00 PM EDT PACE® credit available until October 4, 2018 | Florida Laboratory CE Credit available |
![]() ![]() |
||||||||||
As many as 5% of patients treated with heparin have an immune complex
that is formed between Heparin and Platelet Factor 4 (PF4). These
patients may develop Heparin Induced Thrombocytopenia (HIT),
characterized by a low platelet count that can result in excessive
bleeding or clotting. Of those diagnosed with HIT, 30% are at risk for
death and 20% are at risk for limb amputation. Current testing for HIT can take several hours to several days for the results. During this time, patients requiring surgery must wait for the test results to determine if heparin can be administered, or they are given expensive direct thrombin inhibitors (DTI’s) as a precautionary measure. This webinar will describe the mechanism of interaction between heparin and platelet factor 4, review the chemistry of heparin, and identify the consequences of antibodies to Heparin Platelet Factor 4. It will also examine the testing methodology for the anti-Platelet Factor 4 Heparin antibody. This webinar will: • Describe the mechanism of interaction between Heparin and Platelet Factor 4 • Review the chemistry of Heparin • Identify the consequences of antibodies to the Heparin Platelet Factor 4 • Examine the testing methodology for the anti-Platelet Factor 4 Heparin anti-body
|
Presenter: Michael Warhol, MD Past President , Pennsylvania Association of Pathologists Fellow of the American College of Pathology ![]() Dr. Warhol received his undergraduate degree at Princeton University and his M.D. degree from the University of Pittsburgh. He continued his residency training in pathology at the Peter Bent Brigham Hospital, Boston, MA. He served as Chairman and Director of Laboratories at Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia, PA and New York Hospital Queens. |
||||||||||
Empowering STAT DNA Testing for Molecular Oncology Applications using a
Fully Automated Platform Live Event: Thursday, March 15, 2018 | 1:00 - 2:00 PM EST PACE® credit available until September 14, 2018 | Florida Laboratory CE Credit available |
![]() ![]() |
||||||||||
Turnaround time remains a major issue in molecular biomarker testing.
Current technologies are complex, require a lot of hands-on time and are
often difficult to implement in the local laboratory. These factors
significantly extend the time until the result report becomes available.
This webinar will provide firsthand perspectives about how new technologies can help improve turnaround times in virtually any lab. Dr. Tsongalis will discuss his experiences with fully -automated molecular biomarker analysis by presenting results from a recent performance study. He will also share his views on validation requirements for such a platform. This webinar will: • Discuss the reasons for the need for improvement in TAT when it comes to testing Oncology biomarkers. • Compare the performance of a fully-automated qPCR-based system to that of a Next-Generation Sequencing based system • Identify validation strategies for implementing fully automated biomarker-testing systems in a CLIA setting. |
Presenter: Gregory J. Tsongalis, PhD, HCLD, CC Professor of Pathology Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center Lebanon, NH ![]() Dr. Tsongalis' research interests are in the pathogenesis of solid tumors, disease association of SNP genotyping and personalized medicine. He has authored/edited 11 textbooks in the field of molecular pathology, published more than 200 peer reviewed manuscripts, and has been an invited speaker at both national and international meetings. |
||||||||||
Understanding Community-Acquired Pneumonia and Treatment Options Live Event: Tuesday, January 9, 2018 | 1:00 - 2:00 PM EST PACE® credit available until July 8, 2018 | Florida Laboratory CE Credit available |
![]() ![]() |
||||||||||
For patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), the current
standard of practice is to start initial empiric antimicrobial therapy
using broad-spectrum antibiotics with the goal to cover the most likely
etiologies. Since the initial standard microbiological work-up fails to
identify a definitive etiology in the majority of patients, most
patients are continued on broad-spectrum antibiotics for the full
duration of therapy. This empiric current antimicrobial approach exposes
patients to more antimicrobials than necessary, eradicates a significant
proportion of organisms belonging to the normal host flora (collateral
damage), and selects for antimicrobial resistant pathogens. However, with advances of diagnostic tests (including immunochromatographic-based urinary antigen and molecular assays) which can identify respiratory pathogens of CAP earlier in the course of management and with the potential for identifying specific pathogens in a greater proportion of patients, it is now possible to provide early treatment with a narrower, focused antimicrobial regimen that targets the identified pathogens. In those who have been begun on broader coverage, antibiotics can be reduced or “de-escalated.” This pathogen-directed therapy will ultimately lead to a new paradigm of “targeted antimicrobial” treatment that will permit selection of agents against a specific pathogen and substantially reduce exposure of individuals and hospitals to antimicrobial agents with decreased selection of antimicrobial resistance, cost, and adverse events. This webinar will: • List the differences between empirical and pathogen-directed therapy for community-acquired pneumonia • Review pathogens responsible for community-acquired pneumonia • Analyze the diagnostics and treatment options available for community-acquired pneumonia • Identify advantages of rapid diagnostic methods for community-acquired pneumonia |
Presenter: Thomas M. File, Jr., MD MSc. MACP FIDSA FCCP Chief of the Infectious Disease Service Summa Health System, Akron, Ohio ![]() Thomas M. File Jr., MD is Chief of the Infectious Disease Service and Director of HIV Research at Summa Health System in Akron. Ohio, and Professor of Internal Medicine and Master Teacher at the Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine in Rootstown, Ohio. |
||||||||||
Using Modern Technology to Surveil, Monitor, and Diagnose
Infectious Disease Live Event: Monday, December 18, 2017 | 1:00 - 2:00 PM EST PACE® credit available until June 18, 2018 | Florida Laboratory CE Credit available |
![]() ![]() |
||||||||||
There is a growing need for accurate and timely information about the
status of infectious disease in a community, county or state. Such
information will alert physicians, hospital administrators, medical and
laboratory directors, and public health agencies, and can enable
preventive measures and/or improved patient care and management. Modern
surveillance technology shows great promise in fulfilling this need by
sending results in near real-time for influenza, RSV, and Strep A tests
to the CDC, state departments of health, and healthcare organizations
nation-wide. This webinar will discuss recent technological advances that have afforded certain FDA-cleared rapid point of care instruments that aid in the diagnosis of infectious disease the capability to wirelessly convey near real-time results and transmit to public health agencies and organizations for use in de-identified surveillance and laboratory management. The utility for laboratory management, featuring quality control, training, resource management, and operator performance will be discussed, as will the impact of valid real-time data on the management of patients and the timely and appropriate use of antivirals and antibiotics. Promising new applications of data in developing enhanced disease forecasting and the benefits this promises for public health, healthcare systems, pharmacies and others will be also be considered. This webinar will: • Identify technology that allows certain FDA-cleared, rapid-POC testing instruments to wirelessly transmit to public authorities • Describe how labs can use the technology for quality control, training and resource management • Analyze the impact of valid real-time data on patient care management, including the use of antivirals and antibiotics • Discuss promising new applications of data to enhance disease forecasting and its benefits for various stakeholders |
Presenter: John Tamerius, PhD Sr. Vice President, Strategic and External Affairs, Quidel Corp. ![]() Dr. John Tamerius graduated from the Univ. of Washington (Seattle, Washington) with a Ph.D. in Microbiology and Immunology. He performed graduate and postdoctoral research in tumor immunology at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center (Seattle) before joining the Scripps Clinic and Research Foundation (San Diego, California) as a Research Associate in the Dept. of Molecular Immunology. |
||||||||||
Meeting the Standards: Mandatory FDA Reclassification Of Rapid Influenza Detection Tests Live Event: Monday, November 6, 2017 | 1:00 - 2:00 PM EST PACE® credit available until May 6, 2018 | Florida Laboratory CE Credit available |
![]() ![]() |
||||||||||
FDA Tightens Standards, Reclassifies RIDTs There have historically been some challenges with rapid immunoassay detection test (RIDTs) for influenza and their variability in performance. While they tend to show good specificity, they can deliver less-than-optimal sensitivity in respiratory specimens compared to RT-PCR or viral culture. In some cases (for example, the H1N1 flu strain in 2009) RIDTs may be unable to detect the virus at all. For this reason, negative RIDT test results should be interpreted with caution given the potential for false negative results - especially during peak flu season in a community. Based on these concerns, the FDA began work to reclassify antigen-based RIDTs as Class II devices in order to improve the overall quality of testing for influenza. The FDA has provided certain performance criteria that manufacturers will have to meet in order to market their influenza assays. What Does the FDA Reclassification Mean for RIDT Manufacturers? Manufacturers must obtain a new 510(k) clearance and demonstrate compliance with the special controls included in the new clinical performance standards before marketing antigen-based RIDTs. What Does the FDA Reclass Mean for Physicians and Labs? Facilities testing for flu can still continue to purchase their current product up until January 12, 2018 and utilize them until the kit’s expiration date. This provides facilities enough time to assess the performance data against the FDA criteria and engage clinicians and management on the next course of action for flu testing. This webinar will: • Describe the FDA reclassification of rapid immunoassay detection tests (RIDT’s) for 2018 • Discuss the reason for FDA’s implementation of the new reclassification and how that impacts not only manufacturers but also the physician, the laboratory, and the patient • Identify the information RIDT users must have from manufacturers to determine whether or not their current testing meets the reclassification |
Presenter: Sally Hojvat, PhD ![]() Sally Hojvat holds an MSc in Microbiology/ Food Science from the University of Alberta and a PhD in Biochemistry from Loyola University. She has completed post-doctorate work in clinical chemistry and pharmacology, worked for the FDA, and has extensive experience working for a major international IVD manufacturer. |
||||||||||
Get the Most Out Of Barcoding In Your Pathology Laboratory Live Event: Wednesday, October 25, 2017 | 1:00 - 2:00 PM EST PACE® credit available until April 25, 2018 | Florida Laboratory CE Credit available |
![]() ![]() |
||||||||||
Barcoding is used everywhere in our culture today to prevent errors. In
laboratories, barcoding has become an evidence based “best practice” for
reducing errors and improving productivity where up to 70% of all errors
occur in the pre- and post-analytic phases. Besides improving
productivity, barcoding opens up many new opportunities to utilize the
embedded data downstream through multiple stages up to and including
long-term storage and archiving. This webinar will offer a practical approach to implementing a barcoding solution to meet the needs of your individual laboratory for protecting the integrity of patients’ specimens. With US Healthcare moving from a Fee-for-Service model to a Value-Based system, laboratories must implement ways of improving quality outcomes. The additional benefit barcoding delivers is an improvement in productivity and reduction, to the point of elimination of non-value added tasks. Barcoding utilized along with lean processes has also been proven to reduce labeling errors to near zero in pathology laboratories. This webinar will: • Describe how reimbursement impacts technology utilization in the laboratory • Differentiate between linear and 2D barcodes and how each captures patient data • Review techniques labs employ to adapt barcoding to their varying sizes and budgets • Illustrate the ways in which barcoding affects a pathology laboratory's workflow and productivity |
Presenter: Loretta Sayles Sayles Lab Consulting ![]() Loretta Sayles has spent the past 30 plus years working in the anatomic pathology laboratory arena in several different aspects of our business. She currently is the Managing Director of Sayles Lab Consulting which focuses on helping labs improve their quality while understanding the challenging healthcare market. Loretta is very active in Histotechnology on both the national and state level and has been recognized for her dedication to the field. |
||||||||||
The Journey to Realizing the Promise of Precision Medicine
Live Event: Tuesday, October 17, 2017 | 1:00 - 2:00 PM EST PACE® credit available until April 17, 2018 | Florida Laboratory CE Credit available |
![]() ![]() ![]() |
||||||||||
Currently, clinical labs are doing
sequential, single-analyte testing in oncology which exhausts precious
patient samples and extends the turnaround time to results. Clinicians
can wait for as long as two to three weeks to get a result. And, if the
sample is insufficient for molecular testing, patients can be subject to
expensive and painful rebiopsies. Pathologists and other clinicians need
a better, faster way to consolidate their molecular testing into a
single assay and get results within a week. This webinar will show how Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) is helping labs save precious samples and provide rapid results. It will review the updates on the NCI-MATCH clinical trial for adult cancers and the development of a gene panel specific to pediatric cancers, and it will discuss a laboratory's implementation of next-generation sequencing for cancer clinical research. This webinar will: • Review the updates on the NCI-MATCH clinical trial for adult cancers and the development of a gene panel specific to pediatric cancers • Analyze the effects of next-generation sequencing on the speed of results from the clinical/pathology lab to oncologists to minimize the need for a painful and expensive rebiopsy • Discuss a laboratory's implementation of next-generation sequencing for cancer clinical research |
|
||||||||||
HIV Trends, Guideline Recommendations, & the Evolution of Rapid HIV
Screening Tests Live Event: Thursday, September 28, 2017 | 1:00 - 2:00 PM EST PACE® credit available until March 28, 2018 | Florida Laboratory CE Credit available |
![]() ![]() |
||||||||||
The Center for Disease Control (CDC)
estimates that 14 percent of people infected with HIV in the United
States - more than 168,000 people1 - are unaware of their
infection. Of the estimated 50,000 new
HIV infections each year, thousands are transmitted by people who do not
know that they are HIV-positive.2,3 With the successful introduction of antiviral drugs, HIV screening and testing has become a cornerstone for prevention and treatment. For those who test positive, it opens the door to life-saving treatment and reduces the transmission of HIV to others. And for those who test negative, they can take preventative measures to ensure they remain negative. Through the years, HIV screening tests have improved in performance and ease of use but not all HIV tests are equal. The CDC in 2014 updated their recommendations on HIV testing to include screening with a 4th generation lab test. This webinar will review the evolution of HIV screening tests, identify differences in HIV testing methodologies, review current CDC and HRSA guidelines for HIV testing, screening, and analysis, and develop strategies within one’s own institution to increase screening for HIV. 1 CDC. Monitoring selected national HIV prevention and care objectives by using HIV surveillance data - United States and 6 U.S. dependent areas - 2012. HIV Surveillance Supplemental Report 2014;19(No. 3). Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/library/reports. Published November 2014. (Accessed November 25, 2014). 2 CDC. Estimated HIV incidence among adults and adolescents in the United States, 2007-2010. HIV Surveillance Supplemental Report 2012;17(No. 4). Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/topics/surveillance/resources/reports/ttsupplemental. Published December 2012. 3 Hall HI, Holtgrave DR, and Maulsby C. HIV transmission rates from persons living with HIV who are aware and unaware of their infection. AIDS 2012;26(7):893-96. This webinar will: • Review current CDC and HRSA guidelines for HIV testing/screening/analysis and importance of early detection • Determine the patient population that can benefit from rapid point-of-care testing for HIV antigen/antibody • Develop strategies within one’s own institution to increase screening for HIV • Apply current guidelines and best practices to improve the care of patients who are HIV positive and HIV negative |
Presenter: Neil W. Anderson, MD Assistant Professor, Washington University School of Medicine, and Asst Medical Dir, Clinical Microbiology, Barnes Jewish Hospital St. Louis, Missouri ![]() Neil Anderson completed his training in anatomic and clinical pathology at the Medical College of Wisconsin, followed by a fellowship in clinical microbiology at Mayo Clinic. He currently is an assistant professor at Washington University in Saint Louis School of Medicine and is the assistant medical director of clinical microbiology at Barnes Jewish Hospital. His areas of academic pursuit include the serologic and molecular testing for infectious diseases, with a particular focus on HIV testing. |
||||||||||
Advances in Biomarker Testing for Sepsis and Bacterial
Infections Live Event: Wednesday, September 13, 2017 | 1:00 - 2:00 PM EST PACE® credit available until March 13, 2018 | Florida Laboratory CE Credit available |
![]() ![]() |
||||||||||
Systemic bacterial Infections are often difficult to differentiate
from other infections. This can lead to a delay in appropriate treatment
and sometimes overtreatment with antibiotics Both the clinical
presentation and diagnostic tests are required to manage therapy.
Timely, informed decisions can be made with the assistance of
biomarkers. With the recently FDA approved claim extensions of
Procalcitonin (PCT) clinicians now have an additional tool to help
direct antibiotic therapy. This can result in reduced antibiotic usage,
reduced time in ICU reducing the costs incurred by both patients and
healthcare systems while improving clinical outcomes. |
Presenter: Eric Gluck MD, FCCP JD Director, Critical Care Services Swedish Covenant Hospital Chicago, Illinois ![]() Dr. Gluck is a Professor of Medicine at Finch University of Health Sciences/The Chicago Medical School in North Chicago. He has previously held positions as an Assistant Professor at both Rush-Presbyterian St. Luke’s Medical Center and the University of Connecticut. Dr. Gluck is Board Certified in Internal Medicine with subspecialties in Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine. |
||||||||||
Genital Zoster Infections: An Unexpected Finding Using a Molecular Assay Live Event: Thursday, July 27, 2017 | 1:00 - 2:00 PM EST PACE® credit available until January 27, 2018 | Florida Laboratory CE Credit available |
![]() ![]() |
||||||||||
Herpes simplex virus (HSV) and Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) are common
causes of cutaneous and mucocutaneous infections and typically
distinguished based upon appearance and anatomic location. But atypical
presentations of zoster can occur in unusual anatomical sites. Improved
testing methods for the differentiation of HSV 1+2 and VZV from
cutaneous and mucocutaneous specimens allow for correct detection and
diagnosis leading to better treatment and patient counseling. Incorrect diagnosis of suspected HSV has psychosocial impacts that affect patient well being. Traditional culture methods for HSV and VZV can take between 24 hours and 2 weeks for results which can delay therapy and leave patients in the dark. Molecular testing methods to diagnose and differentiate Herpes from Varicella Zoster can change treatment and patient counseling by providing definitive results in a timely manner to allow for more accurate treatment. This webinar will: • Discuss the importance of differentiating HSV from VZV specifically in genital lesions • Examine the ways in which a fast TAT for VZV can impact clinical care • Analyze the psychosocial impact of an incorrect diagnosis for HSV/VZV • Identify the treatment differences and positivity rates for VZV in patients suspected to have HSV
|
Presenter: Paul A. Granato, Ph.D., DABMM, FAAM Professor Emeritus of Pathology SUNY Upstate Medical University ![]() Dr. Granato earned his Ph.D. in microbiology and molecular biology from Syracuse University after graduating from Le Moyne College majoring in biology and chemistry. Dr. Granato directed several clinical microbiology laboratories over his professional career while serving as a faculty member in the Departments of Pathology and Microbiology & Immunology at SUNY Upstate Medical University for over 35 years where he is now Professor Emeritus in Pathology. |
||||||||||
Differentiating Gluten-Related Disorders Through Diagnostic
Methods Live Event: Monday, June 19, 2017 | 2:00 - 3:00 PM EST PACE® credit available until December 19, 2017 | Florida Laboratory CE Credit available |
![]() ![]() |
||||||||||
Celiac Disease is an immune-mediated systemic disorder elicited by
gluten and related prolamines in genetically susceptible individuals.
Approximately 90% of CD patients are not yet diagnosed. 36% of CD
patients are incorrectly diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome. The
incidence of CD has increased from 5.2 per 100,000 persons in 1990 to
19.1 in 2010. Differentiation is critical since a gluten restricted diet
is a burden for the patient and family. Wheat is a grass, and one of the most common causes of food allergen sensitization in children. Some grass sensitized children can be misdiagnosed as wheat allergic who are recommended a wheat-free diet as whole wheat extract tests often show sensitization due to cross-reactivity between wheat and grass components e.g. profilin and CCD. Wheat is an ingredient in processed foods other than bakery products, for instance in beer which may elicit symptoms in allergen sensitized patients. This session will present an update of our current understanding of the three main forms of reactions to wheat and its byproducts including gluten: allergic (wheat allergy), autoimmune (celiac disease) and intolerance (gluten sensitivity). The speakers cover testing cascades to differentiate patients efficiently, as well as the laboratory efficiency gains by processing these tests on a single automated platform. This webinar will: • Discuss the prevalence, symptoms, and characteristics of three "gluten"- related disorders • Examine the reasons why "Non-celiac Gluten Sensitivity (NCGS)" is still a vague umbrella term encompassing distinct populations of patients • Identify the patients who would benefit from testing • Assess specific testing cascades to assist the clinician in the differentiation between "gluten"- related disorders |
Presenters:
|
||||||||||
Vaginal Microbiota Investigations: Increasing Insight, Reducing Cost Live Event: Tuesday, May 16, 2017 | 2:00 - 3:00 PM EST PACE® credit available until November 16, 2017 | Florida Laboratory CE Credit available |
![]() ![]() |
||||||||||
Urogenital infections, This webinar will discuss the increased
sensitivity and specificity required for vaginal microbiota and pathogen
investigations. It will also review the role of both pathogenic and commensal
microbiota involved in urogenital infections, and identify the methods
to detect a broad range of vaginal microbiota from a single sample
quickly, and This webinar will: • Review the role of both pathogenic and commensal microbiota involved in urogenital infections • Identify the methods to detect a broad range of vaginal microbiota from a single sample quickly, and cost effectively • Discuss the practical application of the detection of a broad range of vaginal microbiota from a single sample
|
Presenters:
|
||||||||||
Case Studies in Vaginitis Live Event: Friday, March 31, 2017 | 2:00 - 3:00 PM EST PACE® credit available until September 31, 2017 | Florida Laboratory CE Credit available |
![]() |
||||||||||
Vaginitis is one of the most common gynecologic disorders seen in
primary care It is a disorder that accounts for 10 million office visits
and up to 7 percent of visits made to gynecologists. Although generally
not regarded as a serious condition, it nevertheless has significant
consequences in terms of pain and discomfort, days loss from work and
school, sexual functioning, and altered self-esteem. In addition, over
one billion dollars a year are spent on OTC medications and physician
visits for this diagnosis. This webinar will provide clinicians with a practical diagnostic approach to the patient presenting to the office with a vaginal discharge. In addition to helping the clinicians differentiate normal from abnormal, the webinar will also illustrate how integration of clues from the history and physical findings with skillful use of the office laboratory is essential for making an accurate diagnosis. This webinar will also address current challenges in diagnosing trichomonas and candida infections and review the effective management of common vaginal infections. This webinar will: • Describe a differential diagnosis of the patient presenting with a vaginal discharge. • Analyze the role of the office laboratory in diagnosing vaginitis. • Identify the three most common causes of vaginitis and discuss the effective management of each. |
Presenter: Martin Quan, MD Professor of Clinical Family Medicine David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA ![]() Dr. Quan is Professor of Clinical Family Medicine and Vice Chair for Academic Affairs, Department of Family Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and is also Director, Office of Continuing Medical Education. He also serves as Senior Advisor to the President of the American Board of Family Medicine. He is a member of the Education Advisory Board and consultant to the Committee on Continued Professional Development of the California Academy of Family Physicians and a member of the Kidney Learning System Advisory Board of the National Kidney Foundation. |
||||||||||
Tissue Archiving: Reality, Recommendations and Best Practices Live Event: Thursday, January 26, 2017 | 1:00 - 2:00 PM EST PACE® credit available until January 26, 2018 | Florida Laboratory CE Credit available |
![]() ![]() |
||||||||||
In today’s busy Pathology laboratories, more is being expected with
fewer resources. Yet, archiving tissue paraffin blocks, retrieving them
when necessary and then re-archiving them back into their original filed
positions utilizes manpower resources. An estimated 3000 manual work
hours are spent annually for a laboratory that processes 100,000 tissue
blocks per year.1 More importantly, the traceability and accountability of tissue blocks are critical components to patient management. The risk of delay of diagnosis when tissue blocks go missing can lead to anxiety for the patient and the laboratory staff. In addition, lost tissue blocks can result in even more serious issues including risk of litigation and harmed reputation. As serious as lost patient diagnostic pathology slides can be, lost paraffin blocks are even more significant since any hope of retrieving a viable patient sample is lost forever.2 The purpose of this webinar is to review tissue block archiving guidelines in the US and other countries throughout Europe. It will review the past and current practice for archiving tissue blocks at Dr. Costes-Martineau’s laboratory at Montpellier University Teaching Hospital. And lastly, it will offer recommendations on best practices towards achieving overall improvement in tissue block archiving practices. 1Montpellier University Teaching Hospital, Montpellier, France 2Testing Biopsy & Cytology Specimens for Cancer, www.Cancer.org This webinar will: • Review tissue block archiving guidelines in the US and discuss how these regulations compare to those in other countries throughout Europe. • Examine how one laboratory achieved time-savings while improving compliance with their tissue block archiving system. • Identify best practices towards improving your laboratory’s efficiency in tissue block archiving. |
Presenter: Pr. Valérie Costes-Martineau, MD Montpellier University Teaching Hospital, Montpellier, France ![]() Dr. Costes-Martineau is Professor of Medicine at University Montpellier. She is the head of both the Department of Biopathology and of the Department of Biobanking at Montpellier University Teaching Hospital in France. Professor Costes-Martineau's main focus is Head and Neck (HN) Pathology. She is a member of the Scientific Board of the network for rare HN cancers which is granted by INCA, and in charge of HN Pathology Teaching organized by the Pathology French Society. She is also the president of the French HN Pathology society. Professor Costes-Martineau is the author of over 100 articles in peer reviewed scientific journals. |
||||||||||
Molecular In Minutes: The Value
of Molecular Testing for Infectious Disease
Live Event: Wednesday, December 14, 2016 | 2:00 - 3:00 PM EST PACE® credit available until June 14, 2017 | Florida Laboratory CE Credit available |
![]() ![]() |
||||||||||
Overuse of antibiotics is a significant global crisis. While physicians
often prescribe treatment empirically rather than wait for diagnostic
results, hospitals are faced with a financial burden for antibiotic
resistant infections and C. difficile rates. As laboratories
increasingly have the ability to deliver faster results, they can now
also have more impact on the treatment patients receive. By helping to
ensure that patients are placed on the most appropriate therapy,
complications like C. difficile infection and the resulting increased
length of stay can be better managed. This webinar will: • Define the need for changing antibiotic prescribing habits at point-of-care • Discuss newer technologies that amplify nucleic acid • Explain how these technologies can apply to specific disease states
|
Presenter: Norman Moore, PhD Director of Scientific Affairs for Infectious Disease, Alere ![]() Dr. Moore received his bachelor’s degree in biology and philosophy from Dartmouth College and his Ph.D. in microbiology from the University of New Hampshire. He developed the first ever rapid tests for Legionella and S. pneumoniae, both of which are now recommended by the Infectious Disease Society of America for use in severe pneumonia cases, among other assays. Dr. Moore currently has six patents and numerous publications and presentations. |
||||||||||
Rheumatoid Arthritis Diagnosis: Avoiding CCP False Positives Live Event: Monday, October 24, 2016 | 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM EDT PACE® credit available until April 24, 2017 | Florida Laboratory CE Credit available |
![]() ![]() |
||||||||||
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the second most
common autoimmune disease, just behind autoimmune thyroid diseases, and
more common than RA disease, antiphospholipid syndrome and autoimmune
liver diseases. RA is a chronic, systemic inflammatory disorder
affecting approximately 1.3 to 2.6 million (0.5 - 1%) adults, and
294,000 children in the US1. In nearby Canada, researchers
found an incidence of 2 and 5 cases per 1000 residents, with prevalence
in women over 45 close to 1%2. The cause of RA is unknown and there is no cure, however early treatment can help prevent irreversible joint damage, premature death, disability, and raise the patient’s quality of life3. In many geographic regions access to specialty care is limited. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) considers access to rheumatologists, and particularly, pediatric rheumatologists as one of their top 8 concerns. Expanded management of patients is challenging in that the diagnosis is formed using established medical guidance criteria including the combination of physical exam, serologic testing and imaging. Understanding serologic test selection and interpretation can improve qualified referrals to help meet demand for specialty care. This webinar will address evidence-based approaches described in the American college of Rheumatology Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of Rheumatoid Arthritis. This webinar will: • Review evidence-based approaches described in the American college of Rheumatology Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of Rheumatoid Arthritis • Discuss the importance of specificity in test selection, and optimal usage of two recommended serologic markers for RA, Anti-CCP and Rheumatoid Factor IgM • Analyze how test efficacy and disease prevalence impact result accuracy, and timely consultation or referral to a rheumatologist for patients in whom there is a high index of suspicion of RA 1 Helmick CG, Felson DT, Lawrence RC, et al. Estimates of the prevalence of arthritis and other rheumatic conditions in the United States. Part I. Arthritis Rheum. 2008 Jan;58(1):15-25. doi: 10.1002/art.23177. 2 Broten L, Aviña-Zubieta JA, Lacaille D, et. Al. Systemic autoimmune rheumatic disease prevalence in Canada: updated analyses across 7 provinces.JRheumatol. 2014 Apr;41(4):673-9. doi:10.3899/jrheum.130667.Epub 2014 Mar 1. 3 Herold M. Rheumatoid Arthritis. In: Shoenfeld Y and Meroni PL, ed. The General Practice Guide To Autoimmune Diseases. Lengerich, Germany: Pabst Science Publishers; 2012:63-71. |
Presenter: Teresa Tarrant, MD Assistant Professor of Medicine Duke University School of Medicine Durham, North Carolina ![]() Dr. Tarrant is a clinical immunologist, board certified in allergy, immunology and rheumatology. She specializes in diseases of and related to rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögrens syndrome, inflammatory eye disease, CVID, and immunodeficiency in aging. In addition to her active medical practice, over the last 10 years, Dr. Tarrant has held two other major roles in her daily work; first as a medical liaison, where she assists in the evaluation and selection of immunoassays, including authoring or co-authoring peer-reviewed scientific articles of their evaluations, and secondly as an associate professor of medicine. |
||||||||||
Comparing Biomarkers used in Infection, Sepsis, and Septic
Shock: What is the Role of Procalcitonin? Live Event: Tuesday, September 13, 2016 | 2:00 - 3:00 PM EDT PACE® credit available until March 13, 2017 | Florida Laboratory CE Credit available |
![]() ![]() |
||||||||||
Sepsis is the 6th most common principal diagnosis affecting 1 in 23
inpatients. The in-hospital mortality rate due to sepsis is 16%, which
is nearly 8 times higher than the average inpatient mortality rate, and
adversely impacts clinical outcomes for hospitals. Septicemia is the second highest 30-day Medicare readmission diagnoses, resulting in 92,900 readmissions. Sepsis is the most expensive inpatient diagnosis with over $23B in aggregate hospital costs, accounting for 5.2% of all costs, but only 2.8% of discharges. This webinar will help participants assess whether their current biomarker choices provide their clinicians with optimal clinical effectiveness. Procalcitonin (PCT) is a biomarker of the host's response to a systemic bacterial infection. The webinar will illustrate how PCT provides rapid insight on the severity of bacterial infection, the risk of progression to sepsis, and the risk of mortality. This webinar will also review currently available biomarkers used for infectious disease diagnosis, sepsis, and septic shock. This webinar will: • Review currently available biomarkers used for infectious disease diagnosis, sepsis and septic shock • Compare and contrast common biomarkers to determine which marker or group of markers can provide clinicians with effective clinical information • Discuss the role of Procalcitonin (PCT) in sepsis management |
Presenter: Mike Broyles, BSPharm, PharmD, Dir. Pharmacy and Laboratory Services Five Rivers Medical Center, AR ![]() Dr. Broyles is a Doctorate Prepared Pharmacist with 25 years of experience as a Hospital Pharmacy Director providing patients with current concepts in the clinical use of drugs. As the pharmacy advisory chairman for a large IDN, Dr. Broyles helps to develop and implement clinical initiatives. He consults for several IDN’s, Alaris, Cardinal Health, Carefusion, bioMerieux, ICNet, independently serving both small and large hospitals. |
||||||||||
The
Impact of Point-of-Care Hemoglobin Testing on Patient Blood Management Live Event: Monday, August 22, 2016 | 2:00 - 3:00 PM EDT PACE® credit available until February 22, 2017 | Florida Laboratory CE Credit available |
![]() ![]() |
||||||||||
Patient Blood Management (PBM) is an emerging clinical concept designed
to reduce unnecessary, excessive and avoidable blood transfusions.
Interest in PBM has grown rapidly throughout the world as new evidence
demonstrates a strong association between transfusion and a variety of
healthcare care complications (infections, pulmonary injury, and
mortality). Reducing transfusion exposure in hospitals has the dual
benefit of significantly reducing costs while improving safety and
outcomes. PBM programs often utilize a variety of resources and technologies to optimize blood management, including point-of-care testing. Point-of-care Hemoglobin testing has been widely used in hospitals and published in the literature as an evidence based strategy to support transfusion management. This webinar will focus on practical applications of POCT Hgb to improve the recognition and management of anemia, support the paradigm shift of RBC transfusion as single units with reassessment, and optimize transfusion decision making in the anemic or bleeding patient. This webinar will: • Describe how optimal transfusion practice and patient blood management can result in reduced health care costs and improved patient outcomes • Define how point-of-care Hemoglobin testing can improve recognition/management of anemia and transfusion decision making in the bleeding patient • Examine the paradigm shift of RBC transfusion as single units with reassessment Click here to learn more about Fisher HealthCare's solutions for Patient Blood Management. |
Presenter: Joseph Thomas, BSN, RN Regional Director, Blood Management - Accumen ![]() Joseph Thomas is a registered nurse and currently serves as Regional Director of Patient Blood Management (PBM) for Accumen. Over the past 14 years Mr. Thomas has worked with over 125 hospitals to improve blood management and patient outcomes. Over this time he has educated and mentored thousands of physicians and nurses on transfusion and blood management related topics. Mr. Thomas is also a nationally recognized speaker and a published author in the field of blood management and transfusion safety. |
||||||||||
Epidemiology,
Diagnosis, and Prevention of Clostridium difficile
Infection Live Event: Wednesday, May 18, 2016 | 2:00 - 3:00 PM EDT PACE® credit available until November 18, 2016 | Florida Laboratory CE Credit available |
![]() ![]() |
||||||||||
The incidence and severity
of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) has increased
dramatically since 2000. In 2011, there were 453,000 CDI cases in the US
associated with over 29,000 deaths. The clinical microbiology laboratory
plays a critical role in identifying patients who have CDI, and
therefore also the initiation of preventive measures. At the end of the
webinar, the participant will understand how CDI impacts patients, how
to optimize CDI diagnosis, and how to prevent CDI. This webinar will: • Analyze the importance of C. difficile infection on patient outcomes • Identify the advantages and disadvantages of C. difficile diagnostic assays • Describe the role of the microbiology laboratory in the prevention of C. difficile infection Click here to learn more about Fisher HealthCare's solutions for Clostridium difficile testing.
|
Presenter: Erik R. Dubberke, MD, MSPH Associate Professor of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine ![]() Dr. Dubberke is an Associate Professor of Medicine at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, where he has been a faculty member in the Division of Infectious Diseases since 2005. His main research interests are in the epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI). |
||||||||||
Cryptosporidium and Giardia
Testing Live Event: Tuesday, May 3, 2016 | 2:00 - 3:00 PM PACE® credit available until November 3, 2016 | Florida Laboratory CE Credit available |
![]() ![]() |
||||||||||
In the United
States, CDC estimates approximately 2 million annual cases of Giardia
and Cryptosporidium combined. These numbers are likely underestimates of
true infections due to the challenges of traditional diagnostic methods.
The current gold standard for Giardia and Cryptosporidium detection is
conventional microscopy, which is time consuming, requires expert
technical skills, and is relatively insensitive. Additionally,
Cryptosporidium diagnosis requires special staining methods that may or
may not be considered by the ordering physician, potentially leading to
missed diagnoses of cryptosporidiosis. Manufacturers are continually improving upon diagnostic assays to enhance identification and detection of Giardia and Cryptosporidium, resulting in a more accurate number of cases reported, better diagnosis of true infections, and improved patient care. This webinar will: • Discuss giardiasis and cryptosporidiosis disease and epidemiology • Identify the strengths and weaknesses of gold standard methods • Describe current diagnostic methods for detecting Giardia and Cryptosporidium in clinical specimens • Review the impact these advanced methodologies have on improving diagnosis Click here to learn more about Fisher HealthCare's Cryptosporidium and Giardia Testing solutions.
|
Presenter: Shelley Miller, PhD, D (ABMM) Clinical Instructor, UCLA ![]() Dr. Shelley Miller completed a medical microbiology and public health postdoctoral fellowship at UCLA and became board certified by the American Board for Medical Microbiology. She is currently a Clinical Instructor at the UCLA Clinical Microbiology Lab where she has clinical teaching responsibilities and also helps oversee clinical trial studies being conducted in the lab. |
||||||||||
Minutes vs. Days:
Rapid Diagnosis of Group A Strep Live Event: March 30, 2016 | 3:00 - 4:00 PM EDT PACE® credit available until September 30, 2016 | Florida Laboratory CE Credit available |
![]() ![]() |
||||||||||
Medical
providers now have a number of new technologies available for the rapid
diagnosis of strep pharyngitis. Dr. Schuman will present an overview of
strep pharyngitis, signs, symptoms and complications with an emphasis on
expediting diagnosis in the medical office. The role of the strep score
with be reviewed and discussed regarding its clinical utility.
Recommendations will be made for improving your current diagnostic
technology. This webinar will: • Discuss clinical features of strep pharyngitis • Analyze the utility of the modified strep score in diagnosing strep pharyngitis • Identify the advantages and disadvantages of current "high tech" point of care rapid strep tests Click here to learn more about Fisher HealthCare's Strep A solutions.
|
Presenter: Dr. Andrew J. Schuman Geisel School of Medicine ![]() Andrew J. Schuman is Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth. He has been writing about office technology and medical practice in Contemporary Pediatrics for 28 years, and he is now on the Editorial Advisory Board of the publication. |
||||||||||
A Healthy Response to
Unhealthy Food: Diagnostic Testing for Wheat-Related Disorders Live Event: Monday, November 9, 2015 | 2:00 - 3:00 PM EST PACE® credit available until May 9, 2016 | Florida Laboratory CE Credit available |
![]() ![]() |
||||||||||
Researchers have found that there is a
spectrum of gluten-related disorders, which includes diseases and
conditions that result from the ingestion of gluten, a protein found in
wheat, barley and rye. This session will summarize our current knowledge
about the three main forms of reactions to wheat and its byproducts
including gluten: allergic (wheat allergy), autoimmune (celiac disease)
and intolerance (gluten sensitivity), and outline pathogenic, clinical
and epidemiological differences. This webinar will: • Distinguish between wheat allergy, celiac disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity • Analyze and define testing requirements to aid in the diagnosis of wheat allergy and gluten related disorders • Advocate for accurate and timely diagnosis to improve patients quality of life • Review literature to better understand the presentation of symptom, challenges of diagnosis and treatment options Click here to learn more about Fisher HealthCare's solutions for Celiac Disease testing |
Presenter: Stefano Guandalini, MD University of Chicago Celiac Disease Ctr ![]() Stefano Guandalini, MD, is an internationally recognized expert on celiac disease, a digestive disease that damages the small intestine and interferes with absorption of nutrients from food. He is also known for his expertise in the research and treatment of other diarrheal diseases in children. Dr. Guandalini is the president of the North American Society for the Study of Celiac Disease, and has been ranked among America’s "Best Doctors" since 2008. |
||||||||||
The Unseen Threat: Diabetes
and the Cardiorenal Syndrome Live Event: Wednesday, Oct 21, 2015 | 2:00 - 3:00 PM EDT PACE® credit available until April 21, 2016 | Florida Laboratory CE Credit available |
![]() ![]() |
||||||||||
The statistics are staggering. Nearly 29.1 million children and adults
are living with diabetes in the U.S., and nearly 8.1 million (27.8%)
Americans remain undiagnosed.1 Additionally, approximately 26 million
Americans have kidney disease and are unaware of their condition.2 Diabetes poses a significant clinical burden to patients. Left untreated, serious complications can occur including heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, blindness, lower-limb amputation and pregnancy complications. According to the International Journal of Nephrology (IJN)3, Cardiorenal Syndrome (CRS) is the umbrella term used to describe clinical conditions in which cardiac and renal dysfunctions coexist whereby “acute or chronic dysfunction in one organ may induce acute or chronic dysfunction of the other.” A number of laboratory tests such as HbA1c, BNP, NT-proBNP, Albumin and Creatinine can assist clinicians in the management of this syndrome. Given the continued rise of diabetes in the U.S., healthcare professionals need to be well-informed about Cardiorenal Syndrome, its pathophysiology, its connection with diabetes and understand the latest recommended guidelines for diagnosis and treatment. This webinar will: • Discuss the nature of Cardiorenal Syndrome and its pathophysiology connection with diabetes • Review the prevalence of diabetes and kidney diseases in the U.S. • Examine the latest guidelines from leading research groups on this topic • Apply learnings to Cardiorenal Syndrome case studies Click here to learn more about Fisher HealthCare's Diabetes Testing solutions. |
Presenter: Nancy Haley PhD ![]() Dr. Haley has published over 150 articles in peer reviewed journals and has written over 15 chapters in educational texts. She has lectured at several international meetings on cardiology and cancer risk and has appeared on Good Morning America, the Late Show with David Letterman, and the ABC World News with Peter Jennings. |
||||||||||
Shiga Toxin: A
Public Health Threat Live Event: Tuesday, July 14, 2015 | 2:00 - 3:00 PM EDT PACE® credit available until January 13, 2016 | Florida Laboratory CE Credit available |
![]() ![]() |
||||||||||
Each year,
there are roughly 211-375 million diarrhea cases in the United States
leading to 73 million physician consultations, 3100 deaths, and $25
billion in healthcare costs. While the CDC estimates that 265,000 cases
occur each year due to Shiga Toxin producing E. coli (STEC), it is still
significantly underdiagnosed because appropriate diagnostic tests are
often not performed. STEC can not only cause bloody diarrhea, but has
complications like hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) in children and
thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura in adults. When a patient presents with symptoms of STEC, rapid diagnosis is key to both improving the likelihood of a positive outcome and to helping contain any further contamination. The test must also be accurate because the wrong antibiotic treatment can actually exacerbate the toxin. This webinar will: • Discuss the clinical significance of Shiga Toxin producing E. coli (STEC) and its effect on public health • Demonstrate how STEC can be transmitted and what foods are at highest risk. • Review the ways in which STEC causes significant illness, especially in younger children • Analyze the need for and how to test and treat for STEC. Click here to learn more about Fisher HealthCare's Antimicrobial Stewardship solutions.
|
Presenter: Norman Moore, PhD Alere ![]() Dr. Moore received dual degrees in Biology and Philosophy from Dartmouth College and a PhD in Microbiology from the University of New Hampshire. While at Digene Diagnostics, he developed tests for HPV, the etiological agent for cervical cancer. While at Gene Trak Systems, Dr. Moore developed diagnostics for food pathogens. Dr. Moore later joined Binax where he developed the first ever rapid tests for Legionnaires ’ disease, S. pneumoniae in urine, and many other tests. Dr. Moore is responsible for Scientific Affairs for infectious diseases at Alere. |
||||||||||
Fisher Healthcare is approved as a provider of continuing education
programs in the clinical laboratory sciences by the ASCLS P.A.C.E.® Program. |
|||||||||||
More Educational Resources |
![]() |
||||||||||
Fisher Healthcare's commitment to
education extends to our sponsorship of many Point of Care
Group webinars. These webinars are produced by Whitehat Communications and free
to the point of care and laboratory community. You can register for
upcoming webinars and view the recorded sessions for 2018 here: Click here to register for any of the 2019 Point of Care group webinars |
![]() |
||||||||||
© 2021 | Whitehat Communications, a division of Martek Inc. |