Dyshomeostasis of sphingolipids (SL) is associated with many neurodegenerative diseases. Variants in Serine Palmitoyl Transferase (SPT), the committed enzyme of SL synthesis, have been recently associated with neurodegeneration. Despite this association, the mechanistic basis by which SL dyshomeostasis causes neurodegeneration is poorly understood. Our Central hypothesis is that excess SLs due to dysregulated metabolic enzymes exert neurotoxicity through disruption of SL-mediated signaling and catabolism and interactions with amyloids. Here, I will present preliminary evidence for these neurotoxic mechanisms using new Drosophila models of aberrant SPT function.

CANCELLED due to unforeseen circumstances

Leveraging near-patient nucleic acid amplification tests (NAAT) in the clinic setting is a clinical practice that many health systems have been slow to adopt. However, a clinic-based NAAT workflow provides benefits to the patient and health system.

A presentation that covers a brief overview of antibody testing, patient information gathering, and using a systematic approach to antibody identification. Then apply those concepts while walking through panel examples.

In this presentation, we will explore the current staffing crisis facing laboratories across the United States, examining the challenges of recruitment and retention. We will review available resources for labs struggling with staffing shortages, and discuss potential strategies and solutions to address these issues, ensuring a sustainable future for laboratory operations in the healthcare sector.

Speaker will discuss global perspective-cellular therapy maps, review concepts in Hematopoietic Progenitor Cells (HPC) processing with a specialized focus on apheresis technology, storage, and basic concepts of cryopreservation with details on environmental physiology of freezing. Speaker will describe standard quality control testing for HPC infusion and show American Red Cross summary maps which provide locations of collection facilities throughout the U.S. 

Procrastination is incredibly common and many people use it as a crutch without realizing. In this presentation, we will look at why and how we procrastinate followed by learning numerous techniques to not procrastinate in the future. 

What happens after you call the ER and report a critical lab result? You learn what a critical high potassium means for the patient, but do you know what the nurses and doctors are doing at bedside? How does your job directly impact patient care in the emergency room setting? I believe that understanding workflows from the department that gives you the most headaches can provide helpful insight into creating a more symbiotic relationship that will result in better patient care. We’ll go through case studies to provide examples.

We entered medicine to comfort and heal the sick.  When our actions unintentionally cause harm it can be a traumatic experience that causes us to rethink our knowledge, training and fitness for duty.  What does the study of process excellence tell us about medical error, and what traits set an individual and institution on the path of committing fewer errors.

Join this presentation to gain insight on the current state of hospital acquired infections post COVID pandemic. Additionally, learn how PCR testing can impact the spread of HAIs and improve clinical, operational, and financial outcomes. 

Some medical conditions with morphologic findings in the blood can kill. Frequently, the lab professional reviewing blood smears at the bench can be the first person to recognize that  a patient is in serious trouble. Some of these life threatening disorders and their blood findings will be reviewed.

From MLT to PhD, all Laboratory Science leaders confront internal struggles of whether they are "good" enough to be in the positions they have obtained. In this session, we explore the sociological and psychological barriers to leadership and how to overcome them.

"Leading System-Wide Change in Transfusion Medicine: From Operational Excellence to Patient Impact" explores how to drive large-scale improvements in blood banking by aligning stakeholders, leveraging data, standardizing protocols, and fostering collaboration. Learn to influence change, break silos, and shape the future of transfusion medicine for better patient outcomes. Learn how to apply these systems to your specific program area for massive, yet manageable change.

CANCELLED due to unforeseen circumstances

The Board of Certification Exam offered by the American Society of Clinical Pathology is required for continued employment by States with licensure and by most laboratories in MN. Registering and preparing for the exam can be confusing. This presentation will provide guidance through the application process and provide resources and tips to facilitate successful exam results.

We discuss Inflammatory Bowel Disease and how it is different from Irritable Bowel Syndrome.  We discuss how Calprotectin can be used in the detection, differentiation and monitoring of IBD.

The ethical frameworks and principles that guide the practice of ethics in healthcare will be defined. Organizational and clinical situations where the application of these frameworks and principles are put into action will be presented and discussed.

We all know that trust is an important factor in all relationships, but we may not realize just how important!  Trust in teams can either drive positive change or prevent important progress.  Both can significantly affect organizational outcomes.  This presentation describes the impact trust can have, not only on a personal level for improved relationships, but also on a team level.  Learn how to rebuild trust after it has been broken and the 13 strategies that encourage the growth of enduring and meaningful relationships.

Up to 30% of sore throat cases are caused by Group A Streptococcus and approximately 10% of adults. Yet, there is pressure to treat all sore throats. This talk will discuss the guidelines for testing Group A Strep, the testing options available, and how Group A Strep can cause complications. 

This presentation will provide an overview of drug testing in the clinical laboratory.

This presentation will go over recent studies on fibrinogen replacement and the Intercept Fibrinogen Complex: Development and Use

Whether taking on a new leadership role or as a seasoned profession, dealing with different types of employees can always be a challenge. Three professionals, with years of experience, are here to talk through how to handle various types of employees and take your questions. 

Join us as we delve into the findings from the Genomic Uniform-screening Against Rare Disease in All Newborns (GUARDIAN) study. Discover how genome sequencing may revolutionize traditional Newborn Screening (NBS) and transform healthcare for the next generation. This presentation will review genome sequencing technology, highlight opportunities for improving health outcomes, and address the challenges of ensuring acceptability, equity, and scalability across the diverse ancestral groups in the United States.

Recent updates to the ADA guidelines highlight an improved understanding of the impact of specific patient populations in the measurement for Hb A1c.  There are patients for whom HbA1c is inappropriate or presents a skewed perspective of glycemic state because of the influence of hemoglobinopathies.  This presentation will cover the detection of these cases by different Hb A1c methods.

Hear about the history and impact of recent extended/network downtimes at different health systems. Learn how ACL lab identified their gaps and developed policies and tools to better prepare for the unexpected. From bench to administration, hear how you can make a difference in preparation for a downtime.

Disorders of hemostasis, both bleeding and clotting, are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in children and adults. Using a case-based approach, the keys to diagnosis, including laboratory testing, and an update on recent advances in treatment and prognosis, will be provided.

This presentation will outline key CAP GEN checklist items that demonstrate data security as it applies to the laboratory. We will use real and recent examples of healthcare cybersecurity breaches to demonstrate the importance of data stewardship in the laboratory and beyond.

A case report will be used to illustrate current Lyme disease testing methods, focusing on serology, culture techniques and PCR. It will then delve into recent advancements in diagnostics, including immunofluorescent staining, FISH (Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization), and PCR, examining their potential for more accurate detection of Lyme disease and co-infections.

This presentation will cover everything related to starting and maintaining an excellent POCT program. Attendees will learn what is required, and what is needed in order to establish a POCT program, and how to achieve quality and maintain (be accreditation ready all the time) for their POCT Program.

Discover how integrating medical laboratory students into Interprofessional Education (IPE) enhances collaboration, highlights the lab’s vital role in patient care, and boosts the visibility of lab professionals. This session shares strategies for practicing laboratory professionals to support and engage in IPE and to enhance the laboratory’s role on the patient care team.

Transfusion-associated graft-versus-host disease (TA-GVHD) is a nearly universally fatal transfusion reaction that is preventable by irradiation of blood products. This presentation will address the underlying mechanisms of TA-GVHD; review commonly accepted indications for irradiation of blood products; and describe a stepwise method to evaluate for irradiation needs in patients.

This session will cover the recent updates to the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (CLIA), the most significant in over 20 years. We will review the rationale behind these changes, the impact to your laboratory, and how to gain compliance with the new regulations. The session will also discuss how different accrediting agencies are managing the changes within their standards.