UK NEQAS Microbiology are proud to present a series of scientific webinars. These are free to attend webinars. Registration is required.

Laboratory Diagnosis of Diphtheria and Related Infections

This presentation will feature the disease diphtheria, some epidemiological and microbiological aspects but focusing primarily upon laboratory diagnostics.

Date: Monday 15th November 2021 | Time: 14:30-15:30 (UK) | Duration: 60 minutes | Status: Registration open

Speaker: Professor Androulla Efstratiou | Expert Panellist: Dr Mark Muscat | Host: Dr Jennifer Henderson

   

Previous UK NEQAS Microbiology webinars in this series:

How to Handle the EUCAST New Definitions of S, I & R 

Date: Thursday 13th May 2021 | Speaker: Professor Gunnar Kahlmeter | Expert Panellist: Dr Mandy Wootton | Status: This session has now been delivered.

EUCAST (The European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing) recently changed the definitions of S, I and R in susceptibility testing. As part of the change, ALL breakpoints were reviewed and in several instances revised to ascertain that breakpoints (and thus susceptibility testing results) match the new definitions and the relevant dosing and administration. The webinar will explain and encourage discussion of the recent change. Please click here for the webinar recording.

 

EQA for Covid-19; Emerging Technologies and Forward Planning in an Unpredictable Environment

Date: Thursday 27th May 2021 | Speaker: Melanie Smith | Expert Panellist: Melanie Amphlett | Status: This session has now been delivered.

A review of Covid testing technologies and quality assurance from the beginning of the pandemic to present day. The Covid-19 pandemic has seen a revolution in diagnostic technology to meet the changing priorities of the pandemic phases. Melanie will discuss the phenomenal behind-the-scenes activities that have taken place to provide testing technologies and quality assurance for tests that are in-use for primary diagnosis in acute care, for containing infection and to enable society. These tests are provided by public and private healthcare providers. Rapid change and implementation is not without challenge and risk, NEQAS has flexibly supported the development of quality assurance materials to support the changing testing environment. Please click here for the webinar recording.

 

The Evolution of Interpretive Comments in Infection

Date: Thursday 17th June 2021 |Speaker: Dr Paul Chadwick | Expert Panellist: Dr Rohini Manuel | Status: This session has now been delivered.

This talk will outline the development of the UK NEQAS Interpretive Comments scheme and demonstrate how this has changed and modernised in recent years. The talk will explain how scoring and performance monitoring is achieved and will show to what extent the scheme aligns with the Royal College of Pathologists on interpretive EQA. Questions from the scheme will be used to illustrate content and functionality. Please click here for the webinar recording.

 

New Drugs for New Bugs

Date: Wednesday 23rd June 2021 | Speaker: Dr Mandy Wootton | Expert Panellist: Dr Katie Hopkins | Status: This session has now been delivered.

The session will highlight the mode of action, susceptibility testing and resistance to some of the newer agents to come on to the market for treating MDR Gram-negative bacteria. With EUCAST breakpoints published recently, this will guide users on how to read and interpret susceptibility testing. Please click here for the webinar recording.  

Detection of Carbapenemase-Producing Gram-Negatives

Gram-negative bacteria (especially Enterobacterales) producing acquired carbapenemases are an urgent public health threat due to limited treatment options. This presentation will give an overview of the phenotypic and genotypic laboratory methods available for their detection.

Date: Thursday 22nd July 2021 | Time: 14:30-15:30 (UK) | Duration: 60 minutes | Status: This session has now been delivered.

Speaker: Dr Katie Hopkins | Expert Panellist: Daniele Meunier | Host: Dr Jennifer Henderson

Please click here for the webinar recording.