A Four-Hour Accredited Seminar for Clinical Laboratory Techs
Saturday, May 6, 2023
9:00am to 2:00pm (ET)
Cost:
- No out-of-pocket cost for eligible 1199SEIU members
- All other participants: $100
Live Webcast (Internet)
The deadline to register for this event is Friday, May 5, 2023.
Program and Learning Objectives
9:00 am — Login
9:20 am — Welcome and Introductory Remarks
9:30 am — Flow Cytometric Diagnosis Of Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria (PNH)
Presenter:
Amanda Burke, MS, MLS(ASCP)
Descriptive Summary:
Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria or PNH is a rare disease that can be challenging to diagnose due to the wide variety of symptoms that can be attributed to many other disorders. A somatic mutation in the PIGA gene is the most common cause of PNH, which leads to defective GPI-anchored proteins. This causes increased red cell destruction, blood clots, and white cell dysfunction. Flow cytometry is the gold standard for both diagnosis and monitoring of PNH due to its ability to detect the loss of critical GPI-anchored proteins in red and white blood cells. Here we will discuss the diagnosis of PNH and methods of flow cytometric detection of the disease as well as possible pitfalls of diagnosis/monitoring. (Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria, 2023)
Learning Objectives:
Upon completion, participants will be able to:
- Recognize the mechanism of disease for PNH and some distinguishing clinical findings;
- Describe the basic principle of flow cytometric testing; and
- Distinguish between a normal patient’s flow immunophenotype and that of PNH; and
- Discuss possible sources of error in PNH detection using flow cytometry.
10:30 am — The Evolution of a Revolution: How Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) has Evolved Over the Years
Presenter:
Anthony Huang, MS, MLS(ASCP)
Descriptive Summary:
Developed in the 1980s by biochemist Kary Mullis, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is one of the most important developments in the field of molecular biology. With just a small amount of starting DNA, PCR can amplify a user-defined region using DNA polymerase to make billions of copies. This now-ubiquitous technique has essentially divided biology into two eras: before PCR and after PCR. Frequent advancements in PCR have streamlined this technique and allowed it to evolve and lead to other molecular biology techniques. This presentation explores the inception, transformation and external applications of PCR.
Learning Objectives:
Upon completion, participants will be able to:
- Describe the necessary components for a PCR reaction;
- Identify the differences between first, second and third generation PCR; and
- Discuss the importance of PCR and its clinical applications.
11:30 am — Break
12:30 pm — Lunch Break
12:00 pm — Advances in Early HIV Detection and Disease Monitoring
Presenter:
Hana Fukuto, PhD, SMB(ASCP)CM
Descriptive Summary:
Approximately 1 million people in the U.S. are infected with HIV, and more than 10 percent are unaware of their status. To maintain the patient’s health and prevent spread of the virus, early detection, proper treatment and monitoring of HIV infection is crucial. This presentation will review advances in clinical tests that detect the early signs of HIV infection, including those used in routine diagnosis and blood supply screening, as well as rapid tests used at the point-of-care and self-testing. The evolution of tests over the last few decades, the algorithms used to minimize false results, and the challenges of implementing HIV screening programs to minimize the transmission of the virus will be discussed. How other molecular-based HIV tests can be used to monitor the effectiveness of anti-HIV therapy and assist in choosing the appropriate therapy for the patients will be explored.
Learning Objectives:
Upon completion, participants will be able to:
- Summarize the HIV infectious cycle and the key immune responses that are relevant to HIV testing, and explain the concept of the “window period” for viral detection;
- List tests that are used for early detection of HIV infection, including rapid tests used in point-of-care settings and serological and molecular assays used in clinical laboratories;
- Describe the tests that measure the amount of virus present in the patient to monitor the effectiveness of therapies; and
- Discuss the method that detects drug resistance mutations in HIV and how it can assist in the treatment of HIV patients.
1:00 pm — Molecular Tools for Tuberculosis Testing
Presenter:
Gloria Viboud, PhD, SM(ASCP)MB
Descriptive Summary:
Tuberculosis (TB) remains the world’s deadliest infectious disease. More than 20 percent of the world’s population is infected, and one-third of them are never diagnosed or treated, leading to the spread of TB. Multidrug resistant (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) TB pose an added challenge to successful treatment. TB diagnosis is mainly based on X rays, smear microscopy and bacteriological testing. The long turnaround time of bacterial culture delays diagnosis and increases the risk for drug resistant TB, especially in developing countries. Molecular methods provide an alternative to culture by not only speeding diagnosis, but also by detecting genetic traits associated with anti-TB drug resistance. This presentation will review the molecular tools available for TB testing and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each method.
Learning Objectives:
Upon completion, participants will be able to:
- Describe the World Health Organization-endorsed molecular tests for TB and drug resistance;
- Discuss emerging technologies under development or evaluation; and
- Contrast the intended use, sensitivity and specificity of each method.
2:00 pm — Participants receive program evaluation information.
Accreditation
Clinical Laboratory Practitioners:
This continuing medical laboratory education activity is recognized by the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) for four (4) CMLE credits. ASCP CMLE credits are acceptable for the ASCP Board of Registry Certification Maintenance Program.
Other Healthcare Professionals
All other healthcare professionals will receive a general certificate of attendance. Please check with your accreditation board with respect to receiving credit for this program.
Presenters:
Amanda Burke, MS, MLS(ASCP), Associate Professor, Medical Molecular Biology Program, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY; Technologist VI, Cell Marker Lab, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY.
Anthony Huang, MS, MLS(ASCP)
Medical Laboratory Technologist, Molecular Hematopathology Lab, Weill Cornell Medical Center, New York, NY
Hana Fukuto, PhD, SMB(ASCP)CM
Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, Stony Brook University, NY
Gloria Viboud, PhD, SM(ASCP)MB
Associate Professor; Program Director Medical Molecular Biology program, Clinical Laboratory Science, Stony Brook University, NY
Eligibility for 1199SEIU Members
Training and Employment Fund Members
Members must have been a part-time or full-time employee for at least one year, work at least three-fifths of a regular workweek, and work for an employer who contributes to the 1199SEIU Training and Upgrading Fund or the 1199SEIU Greater New York Education Fund.
City of New York Education, Child and Eldercare Fund Members
Pharmacists, Dietitians, Clinical Laboratory Practitioners and LPNs must have worked with NYC Health + Hospitals or a mayoral agency for at least one year.
Registered Nurse Training and Job Security Fund Members
Members must have been a part-time or full-time employee for at least one year and work for an employer who contributes to the 1199SEIU/Hospital League Health Care Industry Registered Nurse Training and Job Security Fund.
For Further Information
Email: [email protected]
Refund and Cancellation Policy
If you wish to cancel, you must do so at least 48 hours before the program date to avoid a penalty. To cancel, contact the 1199SEIU League Training and Upgrading Fund (TUF) by telephone, (212) 894-4390; fax, (212) 643-8795; or e-mail, [email protected]. TUF reserves the right to cancel or reschedule a program in the event of insufficient enrollment or unforeseen circumstances. Participants will be notified and given the option of receiving a refund or attending the rescheduled program or an alternate program.