Podcasts: Laboratory Testing

Dr. Joel Moncur is joined by a panel of distinguished experts to discuss the groundbreaking journey of molecular proficiency testing programs, including next-generation sequencing (NGS). Drs. Wayne Grody, Karl Voelkerding, and Jason Merker discuss the impact these programs have on laboratories, patient care, and regulatory compliance, as well as the role of molecular pathology in shaping the future of health care.

Drs. David Sacks and Andy Hoofnagle discuss the history and evolution of CAP's accuracy-based proficiency testing (PT) programs, which use advanced techniques to ensure lab results meet rigorous national and international standards.

Since 1989, the CAP has led the way in developing new programs to ensure the quality and accuracy of laboratory testing for infectious diseases, including SARS CoV-2, Zika testing, and more.

The CAP’s Laboratory Preparedness Exercise helps laboratories assess and enhance their readiness for bioterrorism incidents, as well as natural emergencies, disasters, and other challenging situations.

In this episode, Dr. Lisa Stempak, chair of the CAP's Continuous Compliance Committee explains the updates to Proficiency Testing requirements for laboratories performing predictive marker testing using IHC.

Trichomoniasis is the most common, non-viral, sexually transmitted infection. Pathologists providing laboratory testing for this infection should understand the advantages and disadvantages of the commercially available, FDA-approved/cleared methods.

Lipase offers a more useful diagnostic result, as its readings are a better indicator of inflammation of the pancreas, according to James Nichols, PhD, a member of the CAP Quality Practices Committee. Ordering a combination of amylase and lipase is a common practice, but the combination does not increase the sensitivity over a single test.

There are several methods for workup of urinary tract infections or UTIs and utilizing the appropriate test(s) on the appropriate patients can allow for prompt and appropriate treatment and symptom relief, as well as reduce unnecessary testing and unnecessary treatment with antimicrobials, explains Dr. Stacy Beal, in this CAPcast.

Laboratories must report cumulative antimicrobial sensitivity information to the medical staff at least annually under accreditation requirements from both the CAP and the Joint Commission. Despite requirements to do this at the institutional level, there is no national reporting or convenient way for the institution to monitor trends or compare rates recorded by other laboratories, explains Dr. Ron Schifman in this CAPcast interview.