GramStainology (W)

GramStainology: Gaining Proficiency in Diagnostic Interpretation and Results Review

Location: Wichita State University, Ahlberg Hall , 3rd Floor, Room 300

Speaker: Linda Zuchowski, MT(ASCP)

Sponsors: Wichita State University and ThermoFisher Scientific

SWACM Coordinator: Sarah Nickel - sarah.nickel@wichita.edu

***Non-member registration includes a 2019 membership.***

HALF DAY AM WORKSHOP

7:45 – 8:00 Registration

8:00 – 8:30 Understanding the Diagnostic and Therapeutic Value of the Gram Stain

8:30 – 9:30 Staining Technique and Interpretation Tips

9:30 – 9:45 Break - Refreshments and Cookies

9:45 – 10:30 Morphology Review

10:30 –11:30 Clinically Relevant Reporting

11:30 – 12:00 Competency Assessment Practical

12:00 – 12:30 Case Studies, Q&A

ABOUT THIS WORKSHOP

This workshop is designed for generalists required to read Gram stain smears or anyone who wants to improve their expertise in this critical area of laboratory medicine. Quality gram stain results depend on quality specimens and, especially, technical expertise. You will be amazed at the significant role that Gram stain reports play in determining the extent of the culture workup, as well as the high predictive value a good quality smear offers. Plus, by providing accurate, consistent Gram stain results, you can contribute to improved and more cost-efficient patient care by preventing the overuse and misuse of antibiotics. Topics will include specimen collection, smear preparation, staining technique and tips, correcting poor smear quality, characterization of host cells and bacteria, reporting mixed flora and clinically relevant results and more. A slide practical will be presented to demonstrate competency and case studies will be shared.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

After attendance, participants will be able to:

1. Enumerate and characterize cellular elements on Gram stained smears

2. Report bacteria to the probable genus level

3. Identify poor quality smears

4. Calculate Q-scores on sputum and evaluate specimen acceptability

5. Develop greater expertise in performing and reporting Gram stains

P.A.C.E. ®

SWACM is approved as a Provider of Continuing Education Programs in Clinical Laboratory Sciences by the ASCLS P.A.C.E.® Program. Completion of this program will provide 4.0 contact hours of continuing education. SWACM programs are approved for California-licensed clinical laboratory scientists and personnel. The instructional level of this program is beginning and intermediate.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER

Linda Zuchowski, MT(ASCP)SM, received a B.S. degree in Biology from St. Mary’s College in Leavenworth, Kansas. She interned at Research Medical Center in Kansas City, Missouri and is board certified as a clinical microbiology specialist through ASCP. She has over 30 years of laboratory experience. She taught clinical microbiology in the RMC School of Medical Technology for 5 years. She served there as a microbiology education specialist for 9 years and managed the gram stain competency program for 170 employees in the Health Midwest/HCA lab system. She has worked at Quest Diagnostics, Inc. since 2004 and is currently the microbiology manager at their facilities in Lenexa, KS, St Louis, MO and Denver, CO.

She has authored ASCP Tech Sample continuing education exercises, presented a poster on foodborne Listeriosis, and has reviewed journal articles for ASCP’s Laboratory Medicine Journal. She served as a member of the ASCP-AMS Program committee for 7 years, and served on the MoKan CLS/CLMA Program Committee. Linda received the SWACM Professional Achievement Award and the ASCP Making A Difference Award for her contributions to laboratory continuing education.

For more than 20 years, Linda has directed Gram stain workshops and presented microbiology symposiums for professional organizations and lab professionals nationwide, such as ASCP’s Workshops for Laboratory Professionals, ASCLS, SWACM, and regional ASM organizations.