5767    Practical Hemostasis: Laboratory Aspects of Bleeding and Thrombosis
8:30 am - 4:00 pm       6.0 CMLE Credits

Dorothy M. Adcock-Funk, MD FASCP
Medical/Laboratory Director, Esoterix Coagulation, Englewood, CO

Karen Moser, MD
Esoterix Coagulation, Englewood, CO

This workshop will provide an in-depth review and update on hemostasis, covering both coagulation and fibrinolysis testing for the evaluation of bleeding and clotting disorders. Discussions will include activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and prothrombin time (PT) assays and how to evaluate abnormal results; evaluating hypercoagulability, with a focus on cost-effectiveness; how to monitor anticoagulant therapy and how newer anticoagulants interfere with hemostasis assays; a review of important pre-analytical variables. You’ll also learn about the clinical uses of less commonly performed but valuable assays. Case studies will illustrate many of the assays and concepts presented, plus you’re encouraged to bring your own questions and challenges.

Following this workshop, you will be able to:  

• Describe and interpret hemostasis assays essential for evaluating patients with bleeding tendencies.
• Recognize clinically significant pre-analytical variables and identify those samples that should be rejected for hemostasis testing.
• Describe and interpret assays that are necessary to evaluate patients with a history of venous thrombosis.
• Discuss the impact of anticoagulant therapies on hemostasis assays and how to monitor anticoagulant therapies.

“The entire content for me was extremely valuable, especially the backup information of certain handling practices, factor deficiency diagnosis, etc. Excellent in-depth content.”

7717    Updates in Laboratory Medicine: Core Topics for CMP

8:00 am - 5:00 pm   (Note start time. Lunch is on your own from 11:45am – 1:15pm)      8.0 CMLE Credits

Roger L. Bertholf, PhD
Steven M. Marionneaux, MS, MT(ASCP)
Teresa Y. Harris, MT(ASCP)SBB, CQIA (ASQ)
Joseph M. Campos, PhD
A. Beth Prouse, MS, MT(ASCP)

CMP Day is a special multi-topic day that offers you a unique opportunity to acquire current/developing information in core laboratory areas. Newly certified laboratory professionals and experienced laboratorians alike can network, learn from experts, and earn valuable credits to meet CMP, state, or institutional CE requirements at sessions discussing aspects of chemistry, blood bank, microbiology, and  hematology. Sessions will cover:

• drug testing in pain management and substance abuse recovery programs
• advances and controversies in blood banking
• how the emergence of new technologies is rapidly modifying approaches toward diagnosis and management of infectious diseases
• the diagnosis and monitoring of plasma cell myeloma.

Following this workshop you will be able to discuss recent developments in microbiology, chemistry, blood bank, and hematology.

9683     Quality Management Systems – Transitioning for the Future
8:30 am - 5:00 pm      7.0 CMLE Credits

Ruth Biehl, MS, MBA, MLS(ASCP)^CM, CMQ/OE(ASQ), CQE(ASQ)
Senior Partner, BioQ Solutions, LLC, Lake Ridge, VA

Chloe Scott, MLS(ASCP)^CM, CQA(ASQ)
Senior Partner, BioQ Solutions, LLC, Lake Ridge, VA

Does your laboratory’s quality system manual just sit on a shelf? Do you wait for an assessor to visit to determine improvements for your lab’s quality management system (QMS)? Is your hospital or laboratory considering accreditation by an agency that has ISO-based standards? Attend this interactive workshop to learn how to assure your QMS will meet these standards. You’ll participate in a discussion of the essential elements of a QMS. You’ll learn how to evaluate the quality systems in your laboratory and develop recommendations for improving quality processes that impact patient care and safety. Plus, you’ll get tips for becoming a leader in improving those systems.

Specifically, you will learn the essential elements of QMS: Organization, Resources, Equipment Management, Supplier and Customer Management, Process Control, Documents/Records, Non-Conformance Management, Assessments, Process Improvement, and Facilities/Safety. For each essential element, you will learn the concept and rationale behind the element and discuss the practices that make those systems successful. A group exercise will provide hands-on practice in applying the essential element concepts. Additionally, you will examine ISO 15189 (Medical laboratories - Particular requirements for quality and competence) and discuss your role in meeting ISO-based quality standards.

Following this workshop, you will be able to:

• Describe the essential elements of a QMS.
• Compare an existing QMS to ISO 15189 guidelines.
• Improve an existing QMS to meet ISO 15189 guidelines.
• Meet any auditor with professionalism and confidence.

“Reinforced what my organization has in place or has defined as QMS and how we can improve.”