WCLN: Implementation of MALDI-TOF in a Clinical Microbiology Laboratory

Presenter: Michael Costello, Ph.D., MT(ASCP), Microbiology Technical Director, ACL Laboratories Description: Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization – Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF) has recently migrated from an experimental technique to the method of choice for routine identification of bacteria and yeast. Implementation of MALDI-TOF in routine clinical microbiology laboratories should be rapid and widespread […]

WCLN: Microbiology Testing in the Diagnosis of Prosthetic Joint Infections

Presenter: Raymond Podzorski, Ph.D., D(ABMM), Clinical Microbiologist, Department of Pathology, ProHealth Care Laboratories – Waukesha Memorial Hospital Description: This audio conference with cover the basic microbiology procedures used to help in the diagnosis of prosthetic joint infections.  Areas covered will be organisms commonly associated with prosthetic joint infections, specimen collection and transport, Gram stain methodology, […]

WCLN: Why Are We Concerned With Non-Tuberculous Mycobacteria?

Presenter: Julie Tans-Kersten, M.S., MT(ASCP), TB Coordinator, Communicable Disease Division, Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene, Madison, WI Description: This audio conference will cover the clinical significance of the Non-tuberculous Mycobacteria (NTM).  The presentation will focus on various methods that may be used to identify NTM, from conventional methods to the newer emerging technologies such as […]

WCLN: Overview of CLSI Document M35-A2 for Bench-level Identification of Clinically-significant Microorganisms

Presenter: Erik Munson, Ph.D., Technical Director, Wheaton Franciscan Laboratory, Milwaukee, WI Description: This audio conference will provide guidance on bench-level biochemical testing in the clinical microbiology laboratory, as such testing may be of importance to a variety of microbiology laboratories throughout the state. Discussed principles will subsequently be: 1) applied toward a better understanding of […]

WCLN: 2014 Update – STEC Diagnosis and Surveillance in Wisconsin

Presenter: Timothy Monson, M.S., Supervisor, Communicable Disease Division, Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene, Madison, WI Mike Rauch, B.S., Advanced Microbiologist, Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene, Madison, WI Description: Clinical laboratories in Wisconsin have been testing for Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) for many years. As more clinical laboratories have implemented Shiga toxin (ST) testing, statewide […]

WCLN: 2014 Updates – Completing the New Bioterrorism Proficiency Testing Result Form and Changes to the Rule-out Algorithms

Presenters: Erin Bowles, B.S., MT(ASCP), Clinical Laboratory Network Coordinator, Communicable Disease Division, Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene, Madison, WI Amanda Weiss, B.S., MT(ASCP), Program Coordinator, Proficiency Testing, Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene, Madison, WI Description: This audio conference presentation will introduce Sentinel Clinical Laboratories that participate in the WSLH PT Bioterrorism Preparedness Exercises (BPEs) to […]

WCLN: Laboratory Detection and Reporting of Streptococcus agalactiae

Presenter: Erik Munson, Ph.D., Technical Director, Wheaton Franciscan Laboratory, Milwaukee, WI Description: Streptococcus agalactiae is an etiology of neonatal sepsis, meningitis, and pneumonia.  Strategies have been devised to identify appropriate candidates for intrapartum antimicrobial chemotherapy.  While more women are screened for this agent, rates of early-onset disease have not concomitantly decreased.  Potential improvements in laboratory […]

WCLN: Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses Update – 2014

Presenters: Pete Shult, Ph.D., CDD Director and Emergency Laboratory Response, Communicable Disease Division, Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene Erik Reisdorf, MPH, Virology Surveillance and Team Leader, Communicable Disease Division, Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene Description: This audio conference will provide a review of the past 2013 – 2014 respiratory virus season and will highlight our […]

Your Laboratory Ebola Plan

Monday November 10, 2014, 12:00 noon – 1:30 PM Description: The WSLH will moderate a panel discussion to discuss any questions you may have about your laboratory plans for Ebola.  Guest speakers from Froedtert Hospital (Dynacare Laboratory) in Milwaukee, Holy Family Memorial Hospital in Manitowoc, and UW Hospital and Clinics in Madison will each present […]

WCLN Audio Conference: Emerging and Re-emerging Diseases

Emerging and Re-emerging Diseases Presenter: David Warshauer, Ph.D., D(ABMM), CDD Deputy Director, Communicable Disease Division, Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene Description of Session: This presentation will highlight some of the new and emerging agents of disease, as well as review some of the agents that we continually struggle to battle against that continue to be […]