Performing Clinically Relevant Microbiology

Presenters:

• Heather Alvarez, MS, CLS(ASCP), Laboratory Manager, Prairie Ridge Health, Columbus
• Jorn Bansberg, BS, MLS(ASCP)^CM, Microbiology Lead, Vernon Memorial Hospital, Viroqua
• Eric Beck, PhD, D(ABMM), Clinical Laboratory Director of Microbiology, ACL Laboratories, West Allis
• Tim Block, BS, MLS(ASCP), Laboratory Manager, Froedtert West Bend Hospital, West Bend
• Erin Bowles, BS, MLS(ASCP), WCLN Outreach Coordinator, WI State Laboratory of Hygiene, Madison
• Erik Munson, PhD, D(ABMM), Assistant Professor, College of Health Sciences, Marquette University, Milwaukee
• Thomas Novicki, PhD, D(ABMM), Clinical Microbiologist, Marshfield Labs, Marshfield
• Tyler Radke, BS, MLS(ASCP)^CM, Laboratory Manager, Bellin Health, Green Bay

Description of Session:

In 2018 the WSLH hosted an interactive WCLN Conference, entitled “Relevance and Best Practices“, where we discussed microbiology culture of urine, wound and lower respiratory specimens. Now in 2024, six years later and adding the additional specimen sources of blood, tissue and non-sterile fluid, we will revisit the topic.

Is culture still the best practice for identifying the pathogens causing infections in these sources? If not, how are laboratories performing relevant microbiology testing on these sources today?

LabTAG members will take the lead as we share ideas and discuss these various specimen sources looking at the pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical aspects of providing relevant microbiology diagnostic testing. Audience participation in the discussions is critical to the success of the conference.

Additionally, we will present the 2024 Peter A. Shult award to this year’s recipient.

We are pleased to announce that the 2024 recipient of the Peter A. Shult Award is Debbie Maedke. Debbie is the Microbiology Lead at Froedtert Holy Family Hospital in Manitowoc, WI. Unfortunately, we are unable to share the recording of the presentation of the award due to technical difficulties we experienced with the recording during the presentation.

Materials:

• 2024 WCLN Conference – Performing Clinically Relevant Microbiology Brochure
• 2024 WCLN Conference – Overview
• 2024 WCLN Conference – Overview
• 2024 WCLN Conference – Urine Cultures
• 2024 WCLN Conference – Urine Cultures
• 2024 WCLN Conference – Blood Specimens
• 2024 WCLN Conference – Blood Specimens
• 2024 WCLN Conference – Lower Respiratory Tract Specimens
• 2024 WCLN Conference – Lower Respiratory Tract Specimens
• 2024 WCLN Conference – Wound Tissue and Sterile Body Fluids
• 2024 WCLN Conference – Wound Tissue and Sterile Body Fluids