Washington, DC, August 9, 2010 The American Association for Clinical Chemistry (AACC) announces two webinars: POCT Competency Assessment: A Team Approach to Improve Patient Outcomes to be held October 6, 2010; and Acute Kidney Injury: Improving Patient Outcomes through Early Detection to be held December 8, 2010. Both webinars will commence at 2:00pm Eastern and last approximately 90 minutes.
POCT (Point-Of-Care Testing) is performed in many locations by a large number of users whose levels of training may vary widely. In addition, different locations may use different devices to perform the same test. These considerations make it essential for POCT users to develop a comprehensive assessment plan that works for everyone on the POCT team, and emphasize the importance of standardization in the selection of POCT devices. The webinar will explain how one organization’s Nursing and Laboratory departments combined to develop just such an assessment program while facing the challenges of multiple sites and users. The featured case study will also explain how a leading medical center developed a plan to select a common POCT device and improve its assessment program thereby reducing errors, improving safety and ensuring that everyone performing POCT is properly assessed. The end result was improved understanding, communication, competency assessment and, ultimately, patient care.
Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common and serious condition. According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) it affects 20 million people in the U.S. over the age of 20. Damage that results from AKI often leads to other health problems including cardiovascular disease, anemia and bone disease. People with early AKI tend not to exhibit any symptoms, so the diagnosis depends on functional markers such as serum creatinine. Unfortunately, creatinine is a delayed, and unreliable, indicator of AKI. New markers are now emerging that identify early stress response of the kidneys to acute injury. The most promising standalone marker is neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL). This important development will mean an earlier and more accurate diagnosis of AKI so that it can be treated through medication and lifestyle changes to slow down disease progression and prevent or delay the onset of kidney failure. The expert panel for this webinar is Robert Christenson, PhD, DABCC, FACB, Professor of Pathology, Medical & Research Technology, University of Maryland and Prasad Devarajan, MD, Professor of Pediatrics and Developmental Biology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, who will review the latest developments in AKI diagnosis and the importance of monitoring co-morbid disease states such as cardiac disease.
AACC offers complimentary registrations to journalists for both events. To register, complete and submit a Press Registration Form. For more information about the webinars or AACC, please contact Peter Patterson on either of the above phone numbers or at ppatterson@aacc.org.