LABLine

2010 CONFERENCES

Feb. 25-27. "ASCLS Clinical Laboratory Educators’ Conference" at Beau Rivage Hotel, Biloxi, MS, offers educators sessions on the latest areas of science and management, the skills needed by graduates, recruitment strategies, and how to prepare students for clinical practice. Learn more at www.ascls.org/conferences/CLEC2010.

March 22-25. The Society of Armed Forces Medical Laboratory Scientists Meeting at the Town & Country Resort in San Diego will include breakout sessions, special meetings, workshops, poster sessions, and a wide variety of presentations. The 2010 theme is “Have Lab—Will Travel.” For more information, visit www.safmls.org/annual_meeting_information.html.

March 24-26. The biennial CDC-APHL HIV Diagnostics Conference at the Doubletree Hotel Universal Studios in Orlando will gather experts in the field of HIV testing to review findings and data regarding alternative HIV testing algorithms; new serologic, molecular, and POC HIV testing techniques; and practices for bridging lab and POCT strategies including model QA practices in CLIA-waived testing programs. Learn more at www.hivtestingconference.org.

April 14-16. “Molecular Diagnostics 2010 — Putting MDx to the Test: How Your Lab Can Capitalize on Molecular Diagnostics” at the Hyatt Regency Cambridge (MA) will provide expert insight and advice on how labs can integrate MDx into their business strategies, given the current regulatory and business environment. Preconference workshops include starting up and running a molecular lab and coding, billing, and payment for molecular assays. Register before March 5 to save $100. Learn more at www.g2reports.com/conferences/1306.html.

April 25-28. The 26th Annual Clinical Virology Symposium and the Annual Meeting of the Pan American Society for Clinical Virology will be held in Daytona Beach, FL, and provide a forum for the meaningful exchange of ideas dealing with viral infections, and the relationship between rapid viral diagnosis, clinical course of viral infections, and preventive and therapeutic modalities for virus infections. Registration information is available at http://hsc.usf.edu/nocms/medicine/medmicro/virology/index.htm.

April 27-28. The 15th Annual Executive War College at the Sheraton New Orleans is designed to help lab administrators and pathologists learn practical methods for improving the organizational performance and financial success of their labs, including up-to-date information on market trends, lab-management methods, and effective financial strategies for enhancing revenues and profits. Register online at www.executivewarcollege.com/register.htm.

May 4-6. CLMA ThinkLab’10 will take place at the MGM Grand, Las Vegas. ThinkLab ’10 will feature a variety of educational sessions specifically designed for emerging lab leaders as well as seasoned C-Level executives with more than 40 breakout sessions covering a wide range of topics including molecular diagnostics. Learn more at www.clma.org/thinklab.

May 17-19. The Molecular Pathology Essentials Course 2010 at Hyatt Regency Atlanta will focus on the essential knowledge and current practice of clinical molecular pathology, with an emphasis on case-based examples and technologies. Register at http://direct.aacc.org/ProductCatalog/Product.aspx?ID=5744.

July 25-29. The 2010 AACC Annual Meeting and Clinical Lab Expo at the Anaheim, CA, Anaheim Convention Center will include five plenary sessions, symposia, interactive workshops, short courses, brown bag sessions, meet the experts, chairs invited sessions, posters, and oral abstract presentations. Learn more at www.aacc.org/events/2010am/pages/default.aspx.

AUDIOCONFERENCE

Feb. 24, 1:00 p.m. EDT. “The A-to-Z of Vitamin D: Why It's Today's Hottest Lab Test” covers the basics of Vitamin D2 and D3, the different testing methodologies, the most recent clinical studies linking Vitamin D insufficiency to a surprising number of diseases, the politics of Vitamin D in the scientific and payer communities, and more. Register at https://store.darkdaily.com/audioconferences.aspx?id=10.

WEBINARS

March 3, 2:00 p.m. “Customizing Quality Control for Improved Patient Safety” The frequency of running quality control (QC) plays a major role in managing patient risk. This program will provide strategies that will allow you to develop a quality control plan that is specific to your lab’s workflow, minimize patient risk, ensure quality results, and minimize QC run utilization. This program is sponsored by AACC and supported, in part, by Bio-Rad Laboratories and Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics. Register at www.aacc.org/events/meetings/Pages/5754.aspx.

March 25, 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. ET. “Mass Spec in the Clinical Lab: Is Now the Time?” This program will cover the fundamentals of mass spectrometry (mass spec) techniques (tandem mass spec, TOF methods, multiplex design); mass spec for vitamin-D determination, testosterone analysis, drug-screening confirmation, and quantifying immunosuppressant concentrations; and the pros and cons of mass spec vs. immunoassay in each of these applications. Register at www.aacc.org/events/meetings/Pages/5787.aspx.

TELECONFERENCE

March 10, 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. ET. “What's New for 2010 in The Joint Commission’s Lab Program?” Learn about changes in The Joint Commission's Lab program and how they affect accredited labs. Participants will be offered the opportunity to participate in a question and answer period. This conference is offered at no cost; register in advance at www.jointcommission.org/LABmarch10.