Events in 2023
CONGRESS 2023 - How to avoid pitfalls and pass the HSD
27/09/2023
The Higher Specialist Diploma (HSD) is the main route for gaining Fellowship (FIBMS) status. In this session I will provide a brief overview of the IBMS Higher Specialist Diploma (HSD) qualification explaining the disciplines that the HSD can be undertaken in, who the qualification is aimed at and how the qualification is assessed.
I will then provide advice and guidance on the completion of the portfolio element of the qualification and explain what a good portfolio looks like. I will also briefly explain how to prepare for the exam element of the qualification. There will also be an opportunity to ask questions about the HSD.
I will then provide advice and guidance on the completion of the portfolio element of the qualification and explain what a good portfolio looks like. I will also briefly explain how to prepare for the exam element of the qualification. There will also be an opportunity to ask questions about the HSD.
CONGRESS 2023 - Mismatch Repair (MMR): Ten years of EQA experience
27/09/2023
Delegates attending this presentation will:
Receive an overview of the clinical history of MMR/Lynch Syndrome, EQA and data from UK NEQAS ICC & ISH
Gain a better understanding of the importance of MMR testing and the UK NEQAS ICC & ISH assessment process.
The presentation will also focus on acceptable and not acceptable tests, and the importance of ideal controls.
Receive an overview of the clinical history of MMR/Lynch Syndrome, EQA and data from UK NEQAS ICC & ISH
Gain a better understanding of the importance of MMR testing and the UK NEQAS ICC & ISH assessment process.
The presentation will also focus on acceptable and not acceptable tests, and the importance of ideal controls.
CONGRESS 2023 - Evolution of infectious disease Point-of-Care Testing (POCT) across Wales - National POCT Lead perspective
27/09/2023
Learn how infectious disease POCT services have evolved across Wales. Discover how Louise's role as a Biomedical Scientist has evolved to National infectious disease POCT lead. Discover how POCT projects are contributing towards the World Health Organisations Hepatitis C elimination targets and how we foresee future POCT services expanding.
CONGRESS 2023 - Vaccines and immunodeficiency testing (Wednesday)
27/09/2023
A person's immune response to previous antigen exposure is one of the most useful measures of how well their immune system is functioning. Vaccination provides a controlled and standardised exposure to an antigen, with the ability to assess immune responses prior to and after exposure. Different vaccine types can be used to explore different aspects of immune function.
Traditionally, antibody levels have been used to interrogate these responses, and it is possible to explore the quality of the antibody response and also cellular responses. A wide variability in the response to vaccination in healthy individuals can complicate interpretation of vaccine responses in patients with recurrent infections. Protection from infection is multifactorial, and while our ability to assess vaccine responses is improving, this alone is often not enough to assess an individual's immunity.
Traditionally, antibody levels have been used to interrogate these responses, and it is possible to explore the quality of the antibody response and also cellular responses. A wide variability in the response to vaccination in healthy individuals can complicate interpretation of vaccine responses in patients with recurrent infections. Protection from infection is multifactorial, and while our ability to assess vaccine responses is improving, this alone is often not enough to assess an individual's immunity.
CONGRESS 2023 - Generation X,Y,Z: Ageism in the workplace and its impact on service delivery
27/09/2023
Generation X,Y,Z: Ageism in the workplace and its impact on service delivery
CONGRESS 2023 - Iron Deficiency Polycythaemia: A Clinical Case Study
27/09/2023
A case study into iron deficiency polycythaemia diagnosis, looking at the pathology and how this relates to the results we see and investigations to confirm diagnosis.
CONGRESS 2023 - Thrombophilia Guideline Update
27/09/2023
Thrombophilia is defined as hereditary and/or acquired conditions associated with an increased predisposition to thrombosis. The previous British Society for Haematology guideline on thrombophilia testing (2012) focused only heritable thrombophilia testing. The updated guideline published in 2022 (1) has a widened scope to include both heritable and acquired thrombophilia especially antiphospholipid antibodies, paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria, myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN) and the presence of a JAK2 mutation in the absence of an MPN phenotype. Disorders such as cancer, inflammatory conditions and obesity are associated with thrombosis through multiple mechanisms, but these are not included in the guideline which focuses only the factors identified from laboratory testing.
The key principle in the guideline is that when clinical utility of testing is not clear, thrombophilia testing is not mandatory, and testing should be done only if the result will alter the management of the patient. These guidelines emphasise the importance of identifying antiphospholipid syndrome and JAK2 +/- MPN phenotype because they have a significant impact on management. The guidelines confirm the limited utility of testing for hereditary thrombophilia testing in venous thromboembolism, arterial thrombosis and recurrent pregnancy loss.
1. Arachchillage, DJ, Mackillop, L, Chandratheva, A, Motawani, J, MacCallum, P, Laffan, M. Thrombophilia testing: A British Society for Haematology guideline. Br J Haematol. 2022; 198: 443– 458. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjh.18239
The key principle in the guideline is that when clinical utility of testing is not clear, thrombophilia testing is not mandatory, and testing should be done only if the result will alter the management of the patient. These guidelines emphasise the importance of identifying antiphospholipid syndrome and JAK2 +/- MPN phenotype because they have a significant impact on management. The guidelines confirm the limited utility of testing for hereditary thrombophilia testing in venous thromboembolism, arterial thrombosis and recurrent pregnancy loss.
1. Arachchillage, DJ, Mackillop, L, Chandratheva, A, Motawani, J, MacCallum, P, Laffan, M. Thrombophilia testing: A British Society for Haematology guideline. Br J Haematol. 2022; 198: 443– 458. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjh.18239
CONGRESS 2023 - Use of cell blocks in Cytology – Technical aspects
27/09/2023
The aim of this presentation is to explain the growing importance of the use of cytopathology cell blocks in the diagnostic process and how this has evolved over recent years. In the past they were used as an 'extra' to the traditional Papanicolaou and Romanowsky stains whereas now they have an essential role in providing material for ancillary testing - immunocytochemistry and molecular studies.
The variety of methods of cell block preparation will be covered and why it is important that a department choses what method, or methods, are best suited to what is required from the finished result.
The variety of methods of cell block preparation will be covered and why it is important that a department choses what method, or methods, are best suited to what is required from the finished result.
CONGRESS 2023 - The role of electron microscopy in renal transplant pathology
27/09/2023
Electron microscopy is essential for the diagnosis of a range of medical renal disorders, and its use is detecting immune deposits and basement membranes changes in native kideny biopsies will be familiar to many biomedical scientists and pathologists. EM is also used in the assessment of renal transplant biopsies.
In cases of recurrent disease the features are similar to those seen in native kidneys, but there are also specific features only seen in the transplant setting. This talk will focus on the utility of EM in renal transplant biopsies, demonstrating examples from relevant cases.
In cases of recurrent disease the features are similar to those seen in native kidneys, but there are also specific features only seen in the transplant setting. This talk will focus on the utility of EM in renal transplant biopsies, demonstrating examples from relevant cases.
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