This webinar series is administered by the Colorado Association for Continuing Laboratory Education (CACMLE). Registration fees are collected by the CSMLS in Canadian dollars.

All webinar access information will be provided by CACMLE via email. All questions about the webinars should be directed to Christie Grueser at christieg@cacmle.org.

Following each webinar, you will receive the recording (audio and video) of the live webinar to download and store on your computer forever. These presentations can serve as both valuable reference and enduring training tools for your laboratory.

How is this different?

Most webinar providers provide a link that expires 6 months from the date of the webinar to view an archived webinar.

À NOTER : Les webinaires CACMLE ne sont pas disponibles en français.

Supervisors (or contact person) will receive a Participation Record form that must be distributed to each webinar attendee. Completed Participation Records must be emailed back to CACMLE to generate and distribute the CE certificate. (1 participation record/attendee)

The webinars can be purchased as a series or as individual sessions. A discount applies if you purchase 5 or more sessions*.

Online registration is available and is the preferred method of registration.

These sessions are available for purchase by institutions or individuals.

If you would like to purchase a session on behalf of your organization please contact us at coned@csmls.org for login details.

Pricing:

$160 - per session

$1125 - entire series (10 sessions)

$125 - per session (if you purchase 5 or more sessions)*

* Please contact us at coned@csmls.org to take advantage of this discount. This price is not available for online registration.

Session #260

Description: As the tuberculosis prevalence is decreasing in the United States the prevalence of diseases caused by nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) is increasing. Furthermore, every year new mycobacterial species are described and today more than 160 species comprising the Genus Mycobacterium which vary greatly in their prevalence, pathogenicity, antimicrobial susceptibility, and response to therapy. This presentation will provide ideas for a better algorithm when identifying NTM and/or performing antimicrobial susceptibility testing. Although NTM are not a reportable entity there are situations when TB Control official need to be in the loop.

PEP hours: 1

CPS credits: 0

Level: Advanced

Course Type: Webinar

Start Date: January 22, 2014 at 1300EST

Delivery: Webinar

Learning Outcomes:

1. Describe the epidemiology and prevalence of important NTM species.
2. Be knowledgeable about the various approaches for NTM identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing.
3. Learn when to report NTM identification results to TB Control officials.

Presenter:

Max Salfinger, MD, FIDSA, FAAM

Director, Mycobacteriology and Pharmacokinetics Laboratory

National Jewish Health, Department of Medicine

Moderator :

Elmer W. Koneman, MD

Session #261

Description: The processing and culture work up of clinical microbiology specimens has historically been a manual process. Though automated plating instrumentation has been available for several years this automation has typically been used by higher volume laboratories. Now manufacturers are developing total laboratory automation systems for the microbiology laboratory. The suite of automation products now includes plating systems, tracks that can transport specimens to and from specialized incubators (with cameras for digital microbiology), and technologist workstations that facilitate culture work up of digital images. The potential of total laboratory automation is multi-faceted including enhancing workflow and processes, reducing ergonomic injuries, reduction of result turn-around-time and improving accuracy related to the overall work up of the culture. This presentation will cover the different systems available in the marketplace, discuss the impact to the clinical microbiology laboratory, and explore what laboratories need to know when looking at these systems from a return on investment perspective and how to integrate these systems into various laboratory settings.

PEP hours: 1

CPS credits: 0

Level: Advanced

Course Type: Webinar

Start Date: February 26, 2014 at 1300EST

Delivery: Webinar

Learning Outcomes:

1. Understand the impact total laboratory automation will have in the clinical microbiology laboratory.
2. Describe what metrics are needed from a cost-benefit perspective to assess how total laboratory automation might replace traditional processes associated with plating and culture work up.
3. Discuss the varied approaches different manufacturers are taking to provide full microbiology laboratory automation to customers in a routine clinical microbiology laboratory.

Presenter:

Susan M. Novak-Weekley, PhD, D(ABMM)

Director of Microbiology

Kaiser Permanente

Southern California Permanente Medical Group Regional Reference Laboratories

Moderator :

Gary Procop, MD

The Cleveland Clinic

Session #262

Description: Anaerobes are often maligned bacteria, e.g., too fastidious, too smelly, too much trouble to identify, too expensive to work-up. This webinar will examine how simple algorithms can be used to allow hospitals of all sizes to culture and work-up anaerobes on all appropriate specimens. Focus will be on: the systems available to cultivate anaerobes, rapid methods to identify most clinically significant isolates, and the appropriate specimens to culture for anaerobes.

PEP hours: 1

CPS credits: 0

Level: Advanced

Course Type: Webinar

Start Date: March 26, 2014 at 1300EDT

Delivery: Webinar

Learning Outcomes:

1. Discuss systems available to cultivate anaerobes

2. Discuss rapid methods to identify most clinically significant anaerobes

3. Discuss appropriate specimens to culture for anaerobes

Presenter:

Alice Weissfeld, PhD, D(ABMM), F(AAM)

President and CEO, Microbiology Specialists, Inc

Adjunct Assistant Professor

Department of Molecular Virologyj and Microbiology

Baylor College of Medicine

Moderator :

Bob Fader, PhD, D(ABMM)

Scott & White Healthcare

Session #263

Description: Antimicrobial resistance continues to emerge among a variety of different types of bacteria and laboratories must be able to accurately detect and effectively report resistance when encountered in patient's isolates. CLSI standards guide laboratories in AST and the M100 Tables that contain recommendations for testing and reporting, interpreting results, and QC are updated annually. Some of the changes in the M100 document will be highlighted and suggestions for implementing them will be provided. The goals will be to bring participants up to date with the most recent recommendations for antimicrobial susceptibility testing and reporting and provide suggestions for how to confront some of the challenges in implementing these recommendations.

PEP hours: 1

CPS credits: 0

Level: Advanced

Course Type: Webinar

Start Date: April 23, 2014 at 1300EDT

Delivery: Webinar

Learning Outcomes:

1. List some of the new recommendations for antimicrobial susceptibility testing and reporting published in CLSI document M100-S24.
2. Discuss how to best interpret susceptibility test results for cephalosporins with Enterobacteriaceae and carbapenems with Acinetobacter.
3. Describe a strategy for optimizing QC testing based on modified CLSI recommendations.

Presenter:

Janet Hindler, MCLS, MT(ASCP), F(AAM)

Senior Specialist, Clinical Microbiology

UCLA Medical Center

Moderator :

Jim Dunn, PhD, D(ABMM)

Cook Children's Medical Center

Session #264

Description: Clinical dogma is that urine is sterile. However, 16S rRNA sequencing studies have shown that the bladder contains a urinary microbiome. Participants will learn how to culture and identify bacteria present in urine that may be missed using standard urine culture protocols. Participants will also learn how to identify bacteria present in urine of women with overactive bladder syndrome and urinary incontinence that may be misidentified using traditional phenotypic testing methods.

PEP hours: 1

CPS credits: 0

Level: Advanced

Course Type: Webinar

Start Date: May 28, 2014 at 1300EDT

Delivery: Webinar

Learning Outcomes:

1. Explain what is meant by the terms microbiome and microbiota.
2. List bacteria present in urine of asymptomatic women and women with overactive bladder that are urine "culture negative".
3. List bacteria present in urine of symptomatic patients with urinary tract infection that may be missed or misidentified using standard urine culture protocols.
4. Identify changes that may be needed in the way we perform urine cultures in the clinical microbiology laboratory.

Presenter:

Paul Schreckenberger, PhD, D(ABMM), F(AAM)

Director, Microbiology Laboratory;

Director, Molecular Pathology Laboratory

Loyola University Medical Center

Moderator :

Bob Fader, PhD, D(ABMM)

Scott & White Healthcare

Session #265

Description: The laboratory encompasses an invaluable part of the total health care provided to patients. Competency assessment is one method by which we can verify that our employees are competent to perform laboratory testing and report accurate and timely results. To be competent, an employee must know how to perform a test, must have the ability to perform the test, must be able to perform the test properly without supervision, and know when there is a problem with the test that must be solved. Thus, if we are to receive the greatest benefit from our competency assessment programs, which is a time-consuming process for both supervisors and staff, we must not only meet the letter of the law but also find a way to make these assessments meaningful and instructive.

This presentation will review the history of CLIA and current CLIA regulations regarding competency assessment, as well as review the responsibilities for each laboratory position according to the CFR (Code of Federal Regulations). The necessary elements required for a successful program will also be presented. In addition this presentation will include useful examples of competency assessment methods and tools that can be used to facilitate competency assessment activities.

PEP hours: 1

CPS credits: 0

Level: Advanced

Course Type: Webinar

Start Date: July 23, 2014 at 1300EDT

Delivery: Webinar

Learning Outcomes:

1. Design a successful competency assessment program for your clinical microbiology laboratory.
2. Describe the CAP/CLIA requirements for competency assessment for clinical microbiology laboratories.
3. List the components of a successful competency assessment program.
4. Utilize provided assessment tools in your laboratory.

Presenter:

Susan E. Sharp, PhD, D(ABMM), F(AAM)

Associate Professor of Pathology

Oregon Health and Sciences University

Regional Director of Microbiology

Kaiser Permanente - NW

Yvette S. McCarter, PhD, D(ABMM)

Professor of Pathology

UF College of Medicine-Jacksonville

Director, Clinical Microbiology

UF Health Jacksonville

Session #266

Description: Clinical Microbiology is undergoing the greatest change in its 150 year history. The "totally automated laboratory" will revolutionize the workforce and workday. This teleconference will explain how total automation and the digital images created during the analytical phase have the potential to improve patient care by bringing clinical microbiology and the clinical microbiologist directly to the patient bedside!

PEP hours: 1

CPS credits: 0

Level: Advanced

Course Type: Webinar

Start Date: August 27, 2014 at 1300EDT

Delivery: Webinar

Learning Outcomes:

1. Describe how the total laboratory automation process works.
2. Define how and why digital images are used in the automation process.
3. Describe how digital images can be used in the laboratory report.
4. Define how interpretive reporting can be used with digital images.

Presenter:

Richard B. (Tom) Thomson, PhD, D(ABMM)

Director Microbiology Laboratories

NorthShore University HealthSystem

Clinical Professor of Pathology

The University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine

Moderator :

Jim Dunn, PhD, D(ABMM)

Cook Children's Medical Center

Session #267

Description: The incidence of infections caused by the agent of Valley Fever, Coccidioides immitis and C. posadasii has increased 8-fold in the past decade in southwestern United States.

Dr Beebe will describe the history, life cycle, laboratory and clinical diagnosis of the agent, with consideration of treatments and public health measures to control this disease.

PEP hours: 1

CPS credits: 0

Level: Advanced

Course Type: Webinar

Start Date: September 24, 2014 at 1300EDT

Delivery: Webinar

Learning Outcomes:

1. Describe the natural cycle for Coccidioides in soil and transmission of infection.
2. List the principle methods for laboratory diagnosis of acute uncomplicated and disseminated infections.
3. Define the challenges of treatment and the prospects for prevention of Coccidioides infection.

Presenter:

James L. Beebe, PhD, D(ABMM)

Laboratory Director, San Luis Obispo County Public Health and Research

Professor, University of California Polytechnic Institute, San Luis Obispo, CA

Moderator :

Elmer W. Koneman, MD

Session #268

Description : Ever been asked to culture a thorn or an unknown fluid found in a patient room? In this presentation, we will cover issues related to culture of challenging clinical and non-clinical specimens. These are requests that are not related to our routine work and can present unique dilemmas. The goal of the session is to provide information to support medically relevant, regulatory-compliant processes related to some of the unusual requests. The primary focus will be on objects related to injuries and the dilemma - to culture or not. The session will also touch on requests for the laboratory to culture fluids, air samples and other materials that do not relate directly to patients. When available, the applicable regulatory and guidance documents will be discussed and a standardized approach to triage of these requests will be presented.

This presentation will cover the role of the microbiology laboratory in providing testing for unusual culture requests. The session will use a case-based approach to illustrate possible responses to these requests. Topics covered will include culture of objects and unknown substances in addition to a brief discussion of environmental monitoring. A standardized approach to triage of these requests will be presented.

PEP hours: 1

CPS credits: 0

Level: Advanced

Course Type: Webinar

Start Date: October 22, 2014 at 1300EDT

Delivery: Webinar

Learning Outcomes:

1. Define the clinical utility of culturing objects related to acute and chronic injury.
2. Describe the role of the laboratory in culturing samples from the hospital environment.
3. Identify any standards or guidance documents related to culturing objects or environmental samples.

Presenter:

Amy L. Leber, PhD, D(ABMM)

Director, Clinical Microbiology and Immunology

Nationwide Children's Hospital

Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics and Pathology

The Ohio State University College of Medicine and Public Health

Moderator :

Alice Weissfeld, PhD, D(ABMM), F(AAM)

Microbiology Specialists, Inc.

Session #269

Description : Throughout the year Webinar/Micro teleconference participants will be asked to submit questions or problems they have encountered in their laboratories. Question content need not be limited to the topics covered in the 2014 Teleconference Series but rather any area that is of concern to the participant. This session will assemble three content experts to serve on a panel to address these questions.

This very popular series answers questions from you the participants in areas that give you concern, problems, and/or challenges. You are asked to submit questions or problems you have encountered in your laboratories and a panel of experts (Dr. Susan Sharp, Dr. Yvette McCarter and Dr. Gary Procop) will address these questions/problems with helpful way to conquer these challenges.

PEP hours: 1

CPS credits: 0

Level: Advanced

Course Type: Webinar

Start Date: December 3, 2014 at 1300EST

Delivery: Webinar

Learning Outcomes:

1. Receive answers to your most problematic concerns in the microbiology laboratory.

2. Recognize the most up to date protocols, opinions, best practices in microbiology.

3. Identify methods to incorporate these solutions into your own laboratory

Presenter:

Susan E. Sharp, PhD, D(ABMM), F(AAM)

Associate Professor of Pathology

Oregon Health and Sciences University

Regional Director of Microbiology

Kaiser Permanente – NW

Yvette S. McCarter, PhD, D(ABMM)

Professor of Pathology

UF College of Medicine - Jacksonville

Director, Clinical Microbiology

UF Health Jacksonville

Gary Procop, MD

Chair, Department of Molecular Pathology

Director, Clinical & Molecular Microbiology

Cleveland Clinic