Coagulation Testing Quality

3rd Conference
April 14-17, 2009 (Tuesday-Friday) [ends at Noon Friday]

1st Workshop
April 15-16, 2009 (Wednesday & Thursday Afternoons)

Minneapolis Marriott City Center Hotel
Minneapolis, Minnesota

Presented by:

• Mayo Clinic Divisions of Hematology and Hematopathology
• Mayo Medical Laboratories
• North American Specialized Coagulation Laboratory Association (NASCOLA)

Conference Description

This conference provides a unique international forum for communication and discussion of current issues in quality and standardization of coagulation diagnostic laboratory testing. Continued conference features include abstract presentations (oral and poster) and Breakfast-with-the-Experts sessions. There will also be presentations by expert faculty on a wide range of topics, along with panel discussions and question and answer sessions.

Conference Learning Objectives

Upon completion of the conference, participants should be able to:

• Describe general aspects of planning and management of coagulation laboratory testing
• Provide examples of processes and goals of quality assessment and improvement processes
• Discuss the complexities of testing for disorders of platelets and platelet function
• Summarize testing quality issues for diagnosis and treatment of von Willebrand disease
• Review the diagnostic and quality challenges associated with testing for factor VIII inhibitors

Workshop Description

New this year - Two workshop sessions will be conducted Wednesday and Thursday afternoons. The first will be focused on testing for platelet functional disorders, and the second will focus on testing for selected plasmatic coagulation disorders. Each workshop session will begin with participating companies presenting information on specific laboratory instrument and/or reagent testing. Interactive case studies by conference faculty on thematic topics will conclude each workshop session.

Workshop Learning Objectives

Upon completion of the workshop, participants should be able to:

• Comprehend the role of the coagulation diagnostics industry in achieving high-quality testing
• Provide specific examples of platelet hypofunctional disorders and testing procedures for them
• Recount examples of specific complex coagulation disorders and quality of diagnostic testing

Intended Audience

This conference is designed for laboratorians, hematologists, pathologists, scientists, laboratory technologists and clinicians whose practices and interests include laboratory and clinical aspects of bleeding and prothrombotic disorders.

Educational Grants

This course is supported, in part, by educational grants from coagulation-related diagnostics and therapeutics corporations, in accordance with ACCME Standards.

At the time of this publication, a complete listing of commercial supporters was not available. Appropriate acknowledgement will be given to all supporters during the meeting.

Disclaimer

Attendance at this Mayo conference does not indicate nor guarantee competence or proficiency in the performance of any procedures that may be discussed or taught in this course.