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 The American Society of Clinical Laboratory Science (ASCLS) encouraged members to attend their 78th annual meeting by using the tagline "the magical kingdom of knowledge awaits you."
And attendees found this "magical kingdom" and more at the conference and exhibit hall in Anaheim, CA, during July 27-31.
In the keynote address on Wednesday morning, July 28, Preeti Pancholi, PhD, D(ABMM), director, Clinical Microbiology, The Ohio State University Medical Center, Columbus, discussed "Evolving Respiratory Viral Testing and Impact on Patient Management."
The respiratory tract has more episodes of illness than any other organ system, Dr. Pancholi noted. Respiratory illnesses account for 75-80 percent of all acute and morbidity and physician visits.
There are many established respiratory viruses (e.g., types of influenza, adenovirus), but there are also those that are known but difficult to detect (e.g., rhinoviruses, enteroviruses).
In her lecture, webcast for those who couldn't attend the conference, Dr. Pancholi noted many of the symptoms of respiratory viruses overlap, making laboratory diagnostics essential.
Using laboratory testing to diagnose respiratory viruses is important because it can help physicians start patients on antiviral treatment, decrease antibiotic use, manage special populations and prevent or control outbreaks.
Provide the Face: A Message Plays On
Anyone who knows outgoing ASCLS president Mary Ann McLane, PhD, MLS, knows that the mantra of her presidency can be summed up in three words: "Provide the face."
When she began her ASCLS presidency last year, she challenged attendees to think beyond the walls of the laboratory to demonstrate the critical, essential, non-negotiable, life-saving role of the medical laboratory scientist.
Documenting the examples provided to her throughout that year of her presidency, Dr. McLane said 227 separate instances of "Provide the Face" activities were reported from states all over the nation. (See a video clip of Dr. McLane speaking at the ASCLS annual meeting here).
Another Perspective
In the session "Health Care and Laboratory Medicine in China," a group of laboratorians discussed their trip to China and their visits to a few Chinese healthcare facilities and laboratories through the People to People (PTP) Citizen Ambassador Programs.
PTP was founded in 1956 by President Dwight D. Eisenhower, and was started to promote international peace and understanding.
The group had a great time learning and enjoying the Chinese culture and people. "We found the Chinese were a very warm people," said Shirlyn B. McKenzie, PhD, MLS, The University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio.
"They stopped and asked if they could take pictures with us all the time."
Besides learning about Chinese culture and visiting some tourist destinations, they also became knowledgeable on the Chinese medical system and laboratories.
Chinese laboratorians have a group called the Chinese Association of Clinical Laboratory Management that was established in 2000, explained James R. Adams, MLS, Somerset Medical Center, Somerville, NJ. The goals of the association are: draft and manage regulations and standards of procedure; establish standards; publish standards and relevant works; train lab directors; provide continuing education (CE); provide health permits; and manage clinical testing items.
In China, laboratorians need 75 hours a year of CE, and 3 hours of education equals one CE unit. The Chinese Association of Clinical Laboratory Management has an academic meeting every 2 years.
The group also learned about testing, quality control and other issues at the Beijing Red Cross Blood Center and the Department of Clinical Laboratory of Beijing University First Hospital in Beijing, and the Xi'an Red Cross Hospital and Da Ming Gong Township TCM Hospital in Xi'an.
Amanda Koehler (akhoeler@advanceweb.com) is associate editor of ADVANCE. Matthew T. Patton (mpatton@advanceweb.com) is editor of ADVANCE.
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