LABLine

2010 CONFERENCES

July 11-15. The Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) Annual Educational Conference and International Meeting at the New Orleans Morial Convention Center will feature speakers from top government agencies and leading healthcare institutions on more than 60 cutting-edge topics in infection prevention to gain knowledge about emerging infectious diseases and the efforts to prevent and control their spread. Learn more at http://conference.apic.org//AM/Template.cfm?Section=Home51.

July 25-29. The 2010 AACC Annual Meeting and Clinical Lab Expo at the Anaheim, CA, Anaheim Convention Center will include plenary sessions, symposia, interactive workshops, short courses, and more. Learn more at www.aacc.org.

Sept. 23-24. The 6th International Symposium on the Clinical Applications of Serum Free Light Chain analysis and Hevylite will be held in the historic city of Bath, UK. Symposium sessions will include measurements in monoclonal gammopathies, myeloma kidney, and inflammatory diseases; presentations on intact immunoglobulin kappa/lambda ratios in a variety of clinical situations; and results from a number of recent studies. More information is available at www.bath2010.com.

Oct. 9-12. The 2010 AABB Annual Meeting and CTTXPO in Baltimore will offer 120 education sessions, showcase the latest products and services from 200 exhibitors, and provide networking opportunities for attendees from the blood-banking, transfusion medicine, and cellular and related biological therapy communities worldwide. Registration opens May 13 for members and June 1 for general attendees. Learn more at www.aabb.org/Content/Meetings_and_Events/Annual_Meeting_and_TXPO.

Oct. 27-31. ASCP Annual Meeting at the San Francisco Marriot Marquis will draw on both national and international expertise for more than a hundred informational and educational sessions, culminating in rich and diverse discussions and networking on important issues which impact the future of pathology. Register before Aug. 31 to save money. Learn more at www.ascpresources.org/e-books/2010am_e-book/.

WEBINARS

May 11, 2:00 p.m. EST. “Top Ten Preanalytic Threats to Accurate Results,” presented by the Center for Phlebotomy Education, will discuss common reasons specimens fail to yield accurate test results, such as IV contamination, failure to mix specimens, under filling tubes, faulty centrifugation, delays in processing, hemoconcentration, and more. The session will include a question-and-answer period. Learn more at www.phlebotomy.com/Webinars/index.html.

May 25, 1:00 p.m. ET. “Protecting Yourself from Phlebotomy-Related Lawsuits” identifies common errors in the performance of venipunctures that cause injuries to patients and can bring legal action against phlebotomists, laboratories, and hospitals. It outlines policies, procedures, and practices that phlebotomists and their managers can implement to minimize their risk of litigation. Visit www.phlebotomy.com/Webinars/index.html.

May 26, 11:00 a.m. ET. “Whole Blood Bilirubin Screening at the POC Improves Neonatal Outcomes and Workflow Efficiency” covers the current guidelines on neonatal jaundice and hyperbilirubinemia; the challenges with existing total bilirubin testing methodologies; and the role of whole blood, point-of-care total bilirubin testing on improved patient care and workflow. Register to attend this free ILluminations webinar at www.ilus.com/illuminations by May 24.

May 26, 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. ET. “Genetic Testing Regulation and Reimbursement…2010” will highlight the New York state laboratory program, which may serve as a model for federal regulation of genetic tests. The program will discuss the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ ongoing efforts to improve genetic testing oversight and what regulatory changes may be on the horizon; as well as which genetic tests are getting reimbursed, which are not, and what to do to reduce claims rejections. Visit www.aacc.org/events/meetings/Pages/6068.aspx.

May 27, 2:00 p.m. ET. “Overcoming Laboratory Challenges with INR Validation” will discuss the accurate monitoring of oral anticoagulant therapy with the Prothrombin INR, the latest guidelines that recommend that labs validate their INR testing system and, if necessary, perform a local calibration. Participants will earn one contact hour of P.A.C.E. credit for attendance. Register at www.beckmancoulter.com/May27. Learn about other programs available at www.beckmancoulter.com/virtualsymposia.

June 16, 2:00 p.m. ET. “Improving the Electronic Exchange of Lab Information.” Learn what the future health IT landscape looks like and what labs need to know to adapt; what the emergence of HIEs means for the both patients and healthcare providers; and how to apply the various elements of the new “clarified” CLIA guidance to the test ordering and result reporting process. Find out how one lab uses a “closed loop” critical-result reporting system in an effort to better document processes and comply with Joint Commission NPSGs. Register at http://direct.aacc.org/ProductCatalog/Product.aspx?ID=6109.

June 17, 2:00 p.m. ET. “Overcoming Laboratory Challenges in Heparin Monitoring.” All attendees are eligible for 1.0 CEU. This webinar is part of Beckman Coulter's virtual symposia series which is focused on bringing education to laboratorians at no cost — without having to leave the lab. More information is available at www.beckmancoulter.com/June17.

Sept. 9, 1:00 p.m. ET. “Mastering Pediatric Phlebotomy.” This presentation discusses equipment and techniques to obtain high-quality specimens from pediatric patients, including age-specific considerations. Topics include site considerations for infants and toddlers, skin-puncture safety, maximum-volume considerations, needle phobia, proven strategies to calm anxious children, and a literature summary of pain reduction products and techniques. Learn more at www.phlebotomy.com/Webinars/index.html.

Sept. 30, 1:00 p.m. ET. “Potassium Results Your Physicians Can Trust.” This presentation discusses the multitude of ways potassium results can be altered during collection or processing leading physicians to question results. Some contributors include fist pumping, benzalkonium canulas, iodine as a site-prep solution, nine patient-dependent variables, centrifugation, and more. Learn more at www.phlebotomy.com/Webinars/index.html.

Oct. 26, 1:00 p.m. ET. “Delivering World-Class Customer Service.” This presentation discusses key concepts in customer-service excellence. Emphasis is placed on telephone etiquette, behaviors that reflect and detract from professionalism, positive patient interactions, and dealing with difficult/demanding patients and co-workers. The presentation concludes with a discussion on how managers can inspire a culture of customer-service excellence. Learn more at www.phlebotomy.com/Webinars/index.html.

Nov. 16, 1:00 p.m. ET. “Successful Strategies for Difficult Draws.” Among the most challenging situations healthcare professionals are confronted with when drawing blood samples for laboratory testing include geriatric, oncology, pediatric, needle-phobic, obese, and intensive-care patients. This presentation discusses strategies to successfully obtain blood under a wide variety of difficult circumstances. Learn more at www.phlebotomy.com/Webinars/index.html.

AUDIOCONFERENCES

Aug. 3, 2:00 p.m. “Performance Management.” This program explores how to set and manage expectations that empower employees to work independently; lead and motivate employees from various generations, and take corrective action as needed with minimal risk. Review how to successfully manage a former peer, and the difference between disciplinary action and corrective action and how to use them for optimal success. Register at www.aabb.org/events/audioconferences/Pages/descriptions.aspx#0803.

Sept. 22, 2:00 p.m. “Continuing Education on a Limited Budget.” In an environment of continuing budget constraints, providing quality educational opportunities for the blood banker is a challenge. This audioconference will present tools that can be used for blood-bank education and training programs, keeping in mind time, financial and other resource limitations. Use of current web-based applications and how they can be adapted to blood bank education will be discussed. Register at www.aabb.org/events/audioconferences/Pages/descriptions.aspx#0922.

Oct. 13, 2:00 p.m. “Personnel Matters: What Supervisors Should Know.” Supervisors need a basic understanding of significant employment laws such as Title VII, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Family Medical Leave Act, and, for federal contractors, the Affirmative Action obligations under Executive Order 11246. This program will familiarize supervisors with the basic information about each law and suggest when it is appropriate to consult with one’s human resources department. Register at www.aabb.org/events/audioconferences/Pages/descriptions.aspx#1013.

Available on CD. The “Transfusion & Blood Management: Practical Advice on How to Save Blood, Save Dollars and Save Lives” audioconference discusses the growing concerns about patient safety, risk management, and medical-legal liability for transfusion therapy. New evidence about transfusion therapy suggests the risks of transfusion have been underestimated and the benefits overestimated. This has lead to an imbalance in risk-benefit decisions-and new blood-management performance measures from the Joint Commission. The recording is available on CD to MLO readers using the discount code 10DISC. Learn more at www.darkdaily.com/audio-conferences/transfusion-blood-management-practical-advice-on-how-to-save-blood-save-dollars-and-save-lives.