Offers Information-Packed Agenda and Frequent Networking Opportunities

Quality laboratory testing and clinical practices are an integral element of the clinical diagnosis scheme, infectious disease surveillance, and the formation of public health policy. Standards of laboratory and clinical practice, when followed, prove to be cost-effective, support reliable and accurate results, contribute to good patient care, and promote a positive attitude toward testing from a patient’s perspective. The 2008 Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) Leadership Conference and To Your Good Health Workshop, taking place 2 April in Baltimore, Maryland, is designed to explore challenges and advancements in four areas of clinical and laboratory practice including: global health; methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), surveillance, and treatment; newborn screening by tandem mass spectrometry; and quality practices for noninstrumented testing in all point-of-care settings. This year’s 2008 Leadership Conference and Workshop is a celebration of our 40th anniversary and our impact on public health globally.

After 40 years of setting standards and improving health, CLSI continues to raise the bar. The conference, along with the high-value workshop, offers exciting networking and learning opportunities for manufacturers, regulatory agencies, health care professionals, and educators and students. 

Discover Challenges and Advancements in Public Health at To Your Good Health Workshop

This year’s one-day To Your Good Health Workshop, on Wednesday, 2 April, will cover four areas important to improving quality of life, increasing life expectancy, reducing worldwide infant and child mortality, and eliminating or reducing communicable diseases. The day begins with breakfast, a morning workshop, lunch, four afternoon breakout sessions, and ends with a 40th anniversary celebration dinner.

Among the many things participants will learn at the workshop and breakout sessions are how to clarify the epidemiologic aspects and implementation issues for MRSA screening programs, minimize errors and enhance the quality of noninstrumented point-of-care testing, improve the quality of life of newborns using the latest screening technology, and expand global standardized quality laboratory best practices.

“With our extensive network of members and volunteers, CLSI has been able to provide standards, guidelines, educational programs, and other tools and resources, which have lead to sustainable high-quality testing and better health care worldwide,” explains Jennifer McGeary, MT(ASCP), MSHA, CLSI Senior Director, Standards and Quality. She adds, “This workshop is a unique event that brings manufacturers, regulatory agencies, and health professionals together in one place at one time to mingle and discover solutions to preserve public health.”

The following topics will be included in the workshop:

Population Health From a Global Perspective
Focus on global health and building laboratory capacity recognizing strategies that work, and the key elements of successful programs, particularly for those laboratories that support sexually transmitted infections, HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis initiatives. Discuss the strengths and challenges of existing programs and future opportunities. Discuss the CLSI documents and tools that are key to implementation strategies and prepare laboratories for accreditation.
Speaker: Charlotte A. Gaydos, MT, MS, MPH, DrPH, Associate Professor of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University
Thomas C. Quinn, MHS, MD, Professor, Johns Hopkins University, Director, Johns Hopkins Center for Global Health

Take the First Step Toward Clarity in MRSA Screening Programs
Focus on the epidemiological, scientific, and public health aspects of MRSA, as well as the impact of resulting policies on health institutions. Discuss technological choices and issues for implementation and adoption of MRSA screening programs.
Speaker: Cassandra D. Salgado, MD, MS, Medical University of South Carolina

Expanding the Power of Newborn Screening With Tandem Mass Spectrometry
Learn how the latest technology advancements have made possible the identification of many more treatable diseases and disorders in newborns. Includes recommendations for specimen collection, handling, analysis and data recognition, and examination.
Speaker: David S. Millington, PhD, Duke University Medical Center

Establish Quality Practices in Noninstrumented Near-Patient Testing
Realize strategies aimed at minimizing error at the pre- and postanalytical (pre- and postexamination) phases of noninstrumented point-of-care testing. Addresses assessment, quality, and monitoring to minimize errors and enhance the quality of noninstrumented point-of-care testing.
Speakers: James H. Nichols, PhD, DABCC, FACB, Baystate Medical Center
                Sheldon Campbell, MD, PhD, FCAP, VAMC West Haven

The workshop concludes with a special event—a 40th anniversary celebration dinner. CLSI will thank the outstanding and important contributions of members and volunteers, acknowledge the new executive leadership and directors, and recognize 2008 award recipients.

The 2008 CLSI awards program recognizes the exceptional contributions of volunteers who support the development of CLSI documents and products. Highlights of this year’s program include: Service Recognition, John V. Bergen Award, Honor Awards, and the Russell J. Eilers Memorial Award. Service Recognition awards are given to CLSI volunteers who have completed terms of office or project leadership. The annual John V. Bergen Award recognizes the volunteer or group who advances CLSI organizational directives and objectives through unique and significant contributions. Based on the results of a nomination and review process with a selection of categories including Excellence in Standards Development, Consensus Management, Global Leadership, Mentoring, and Member Organization Leadership, Honor Awards will be bestowed at the conference. In addition, the prestigious Russell J. Eilers Memorial Award will be presented to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to voluntary consensus.
   
McGeary explains, “After a day of intensive learning sessions, attendees deserve to relax. The celebration dinner is an opportunity for CLSI to thank our tireless members and volunteers, and recognize and reward their CLSI accomplishments. It also gives them a chance to unwind, catch up with colleagues and friends, and develop lasting contacts.”

CLSI looks forward to the support for this year’s workshop from leading professional associations and key in vitro diagnostics (IVD) manufacturers in the health care industry.

Continuing education credits will be made available to conference attendees.

Join us in celebrating the 40th anniversary of CLSI! Register now at www.clsi.org, call +610.688.0100 or toll free +877.447.1888.
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