Clinical proteomics: What every sample wants

At the end of this session, participants will be able to:
1)  List three reasons why immonoassays may generate misleading results and how mass spectrometric approaches could help provide better accuracy
2)  Outline the steps of a protein assay that uses mass spectrometry as the detection method
3)  Summarize how mass spectrometry can improve monitoring for thyroid cancer recurrence. 

Newborn metabolic screening in Alberta: Past, present and future

At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to:
1)  Recognize the impact of tandem mass spectrometry on newborn screening
2)  Describe Alberta’s Newborn Metabolic Screening Program
3)  Appreciate the utility of tandem mass spectrometry for second-tier testing 

Mass spec or mass chaos?

At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to:
1)  Describe one common clinical endocrinology scenario where a move to LC-MS/MS hormone testing may provide an increase in diagnostic value
2)  Describe how a change to LC-MS/MS for adrenal steroid measurements may adversely affect clinical use of the tests for dynamic diagnostic procedures that do not make sure of a traditional reference range

Dr. Heather Paul
Pre-analytical contamination of pediatric and newborn urine drug screening samples with tributoxyethylphosphate (TBEP)

At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to:
1) Describe how urine samples are collected from neonates and how this can lead to sample contamination
2) Describe the investigative process for determining the source of TBEP contamination observed in urine drug screens

Arshia Mostoufi
How stable is your FIT testing?

At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to:
1) Understand the impact of delayed delivery of fecal samples to the lab on test results
2) Understand the importance of having a stable testing-window to decrease the rate of false negatives due to sample aging
3) Understand the importance of refrigeration in preventing sample degradation

Kaltrina Doberdolani
In search of a patient-friendly screening test for gestational diabetes

At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to:
1) Understand the current issues patients face with oral glucose testing
2) Appreciate a new alternative method to oral glucose testing that is easier for patients and lab staff

At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to:
1) Appreciate the purpose and importance of performing reagent lot-to-lot validations.
2) Understand the current reagent lot validation practices within the Edmonton Zone.
PROVINCIAL SECTION OF THE CANADIAN SOCIETY OF CLINICAL CHEMISTS
3) Discuss the strategies to implement a change in reagent lot validation practices.

Steven Dang
Wine coloured samples? Development of laboratory reporting guidelines for hydroxocobalamin (OHCob) interference in patients pulled from house fires

At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to:
1) Appreciate the significance of hydroxocobalamin interference on various laboratory methods (enzymatic, spectrophotometric, mechanical) and instruments
2) Recognize the need for standard operating procedures in handling hydroxocobalamin interference
3) Understand the importance of communication between the emergency department and laboratory when patients are administered hydroxocobalamin

Dr. Miranda Brun
Effects of hand delivery vs pneumatic tube system transport on ammonia results

At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to:
1) Identify preanalytical variables that can affect ammonia results
2) Appreciate the variety of workflows that may exist at different hospital sites
3) Understand the importance of communication and engagement with preanalytic staff

Alyssa Marusyn
Can we standardize serum indices in the Edmonton zone?

At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to:
1) Understand the different manufacturers use different method and wavelengths, preventing complete standardization of serum indices
2) Understand how hemolysis, icterus and lipemia are determined to have significant interference in chemistry testing
3) Understand that serum indices produce unbiased, and reproducible results in comparison to the visual grading of interferences