Hematology: Lymphocyte Morphological Challenges
Course #5566 | 8:30 am - 4:30 pm | 6.5 CMLE Credits

Steven M. Marionneaux, MS, MT(ASCP)
Manager, Clinical Hematology Laboratories, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center; Instructor of Medicine, New York Medical College; Adjunct Lecturer, Hunter College, New York, NY; Adjunct Professor, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Newark, NJ


Although variant lymphocytes are a common finding when performing peripheral blood smear review, they are often morphologically challenging! Not only do you need to distinguish variant lymphocytes from other hematopoietic cells such as normal lymphocytes and monocytes, but you also must differentiate malignant lymphoid cells in circulation from reactive lymphocytes. The type and number of malignant lymphocytes are crucial pieces of information that you must effectively communicate to the healthcare team in order to support the best patient care.

This workshop will provide an extensive review of the numerous morphologic presentations of lymphocytes in normal, reactive and malignant conditions. A review of lymphocyte function, especially as a result of antigenic stimulation, will explain the causes of reactive lymphocyte morphology. The WHO classification of the lymphoid malignancies will be discussed. The results from flow cytometry and genetic tests will be correlated with lymphocyte morphology to illustrate the identification and categorization of acute and chronic malignant lymphocyte neoplasms. You will discover a systematic approach for identifying variant lymphocytes and differentiating reactive vs malignant lymphocyte forms, along with suggestions for assigning appropriate descriptive terminology for these cells.

Following this workshop, you will be able to:

• Describe the stages of lymphopoiesis and discuss normal function of B, T, and NK lymphocytes.
• Define lymphocytosis in relative and absolute terms.
• Differentiate normal and variant lymphocytes from other hematopoietic cells.
• Correlate variant lymphocyte morphology associated with reactive and malignant conditions.
• Correlate peripheral blood morphology with flow cytometry, karyotyping, and molecular test results in order to classify lymphoid malignancies according to the WHO scheme.

“Excellent speaker. Very engaging and interesting. Lots of important information, explained clearly. “

Contemporary Pathogens
Course #7824 | 8:30 am - 5:00 pm | 7.0 CMLE Credits

Jane Ann Colmer-Hamood, PhD, MT(ASCP)SM
Assistant Professor, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas

In addition to keeping pace with constantly changing technology, today's microbiology laboratory must be alert to recently emerging pathogens. Learn about both newly recognized potential pathogens and the changing role of well-established pathogens, as part of a deeper understanding of disease processes. In this workshop, you will look at each organ system and get a quick review of the existing pathogens that are well-recognized causes for infectious processes. You also will learn about the newly-recognized pathogens throughout each organ system, with consideration of the requirements for collection, transport, appropriate media selection, and susceptibility testing. The discussion also will include a review of the infectious process.

This workshop is intended for laboratorians working in Microbiology who wish to review the comprehensiveness of their current laboratory procedures.

Following this workshop, you will be able to:

• Explain the infectious process.
• Correlate well-established and emerging pathogens with regards to each organ system.
• Discuss collection, transport, media, and susceptibility concerns related to emerging pathogens.

“I benefitted from the discussion of proper techniques in working up various pathogens and the etiologies of different viruses and bacteria.”

From Generalist to Molecular Biologist
Course #6650 | 8:30 am - 4:00 pm | 6.0 CMLE Credits

Adam S. Lobner, MT(ASCP)
Site Manager, Marshfield Labs, Marshfield Clinic, Marshfield, WI

If your lab is in the early stages of molecular testing or if you would like to transition to a molecular testing environment, this workshop is a must. You’ll join discussions about:

• basic molecular cell biology concepts and their application in common molecular assays
• methods for isolating genetic material, amplifying material or signal, and detection
• consequences of nucleic acid contamination and methods for prevention, detection, and cleanup
• quality control approaches for maintaining patient result integrity

Sample reports and real-world troubleshooting activities will help you apply your new knowledge and skills.

Following this workshop, you will be able to:

• Explain the basic concepts of molecular pathology.
• Compare and categorize molecular methods and recognize the nomenclature used in molecular assays.
• Design a workflow for molecular testing, including appropriate QC.
• Evaluate patient and QC results and troubleshoot suboptimal deviations.
• Use appropriate resources to decode regulations that govern lab-developed assays.

“The quality control and troubleshooting tips were valuable and beneficial.”






Body Fluid Analysis: Completely Analyzed!
Course #9336 | 8:30 am - 4:00 pm | 6.0 CMLE Credits

Sandra C. Hollensead, MD FASCP
Emerita, Pathologist and Medical Director, Hematology and Coagulation Laboratory, University of Louisville and University Hospital; Associate Professor, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY

Janine Whitis, H(ASCP)
Hematology Technical Coordinator, University of Louisville Hospital, Louisville, KY

Accurate body fluid analysis requires special skills to aid in diagnosing disease processes. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced laboratorian, this workshop will take your knowledge and skills in body fluid analysis to the next level! You'll benefit from the analysis of the processes needed to become an expert in this area, with step-by-step instructions for manual cell counting, an overview of automated cell count analysis, case examples of cell recognition, advice for integrating results from other lab sections, and a QA/educational process that you can implement in your laboratory. Bring your questions. You'll leave prepared to "Completely Analyze" your own approach to body fluid analysis.

Following this workshop, you will be able to:

• Describe techniques and procedures that ensure accurate cell counts and differentials in body fluid analysis.
• Identify features that differentiate reactive versus neoplastic cells.
• Learn to integrate additional laboratory studies for a complete understanding of body fluid analysis.
• Design a quality improvement and monthly educational program for body fluid analysis in your laboratory.

“Great review and great updated information. Many case studies which were very interesting.”

Reality Transfusion Medicine: How to Survive at the Bench

Course #6006 | 8:30 am – 4:00 pm | 6.0 CMLE Credits

Kathy D. Blaney, MS, SBB(ASCP)
Laboratory Technologist, Tissue Typing Lab, Florida Hospital Orlando; Adjunct Instructor, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL

Paula Howard, MS, MPH, MT(ASCP)SBB
Regulated and Business Applications Training,  Community Blood Centers of Florida, A Division of OneBlood, Inc., Lauderhill, FL

Gain workable solutions to common transfusion service problems in the context of real-life situations! Case studies will demonstrate effective ways to recognize and resolve challenges faced in the blood bank, including reagent use and misuse, antibody problems, instrumentation issues, newer technology, and blood needs of unusual patients.
This workshop is designed for all levels of blood bankers and will include group discussions to share different approaches to common problems.

Following this workshop, you will be able to:

• Describe the principles and potential sources of errors encountered with routine reagents used in the transfusion service.
• Identify ways to troubleshoot common problems with automation in the blood bank laboratory.
• List patient history/diagnoses that provide important clues for antibody identification.
• Differentiate the pathophyisiology and transfusion needs in transplant, neonatal, cardiac, trauma, sickle cell, and cancer patients.

“Specific steps in antibody identification were outlined. Gave me more confidence as a generalist. Case studies very helpful and ‘real.’”


A Risk Management Approach to Quality Control
Course #9550 | 8:30 am - 4:30 pm | 6.5 CMLE Credits

Janice Frerichs, MLS(ASCP)^CM
Instructional Services Specialist, Department of Pathology, Carver College of Medicine, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA


In today’s laboratory a majority of patient testing is done on platforms that perform discrete testing.  Quality Control (QC) results are no longer associated with a batch of patient samples, but only reflect what is happening on the instrument at a point in time. Laboratories are also using instruments in different ways with many types of staff. The growth of decentralized testing has also created QC challenges for the laboratory. CLSI recently published EP-23, Laboratory Quality Control Based on Risk Management. This workshop will show the participants how to use risk management principles to develop a cost effective quality control program that addresses sources of error throughout the entire analytic process.

Following this workshop, you will be able to:
Describe statistical tools used in QC data interpretation.
Develop a validation plan when introducing new testing into the laboratory.
Select QC rules and establish control limits.
Utilize risk management tools to design a cost effective QC program.


“I benefitted from the information presented, handouts, group interaction with speaker, case studies.”