ColLABorate 2025

This session provides a comprehensive guide to red blood cell morphology, focusing on the most common variations in cell shape and their clinical significance. Participants will learn to identify and differentiate between common RBC variations including spherocytes, elliptocytes, schistocytes, and cells containing inclusions like Howell-Jolly bodies. Through microscopic examination and case-based discussion, attendees will develop practical skills in recognizing these important morphologic changes. The session emphasizes the relationship between cell shape alterations and underlying pathophysiology, helping bridge the gap between laboratory findings and clinical diagnosis. Perfect for laboratory professionals interested in improving their peripheral blood smear interpretation skills.
Learning Objectives:

1. Identify and differentiate major red blood cell shape variations and inclusions on peripheral blood smear examination
2. Evaluate the clinical significance of specific red blood cell morphologic changes and correlate them with underlying pathophysiologic mechanisms
3. Formulate preliminary diagnostic considerations based on observed red blood cell morphology patterns

This  session will first provide an overview of data analytics in laboratory medicine and how it can be used to improve quality and efficiency within the clinical laboratory. We will then illustrate the utility of various data analytics tools using real-world examples of data-driven quality improvement initiatives in clinical chemistry, urinalysis, coagulation, and toxicology. Finally, we will discuss practical considerations for successful data analytics projects.
Learning Objectives:

1. Describe three data analytics applications in the clinical laboratory
2. Compare and contrast two different tools for data analytics
3. List a common pitfall in data analytics projects and a strategy for avoiding it

This presentation will showcase case studies to enhance problem-solving in the coagulation laboratory. We’ll analyze diagnostic interpretation, therapeutic decisions, and pre-analytical issues, while suggesting cost-effective testing patterns. Attendees will gain insights into managing complex coagulation abnormalities and learn best practices for accurate, step-by-step testing to improve patient outcomes.
Learning Objectives:

1. Identify the role of different routine and specialized coagulation assays in diagnosis of hemostatic problems, especially thrombosis
2. Present current methods for screening and confirmation of problems related to hypo- and hypercoagulability
3. Correlate coagulation testing to specific clinical cases

Ground ambulance transfusion to a patient enroute to a hospital has been shown to improve outcomes, yet Iowa is one of only six states in which this does not occur. In this session, the listener will learn about the history of prehospital transfusions, the evidence supporting it, and what is happening in Iowa to allow prehospital transfusions in ground ambulances.
Learning Objectives:

1. Explain the history of prehospital transfusions
2. Summarize the research in support of prehospital transfusions
3. State the barriers to prehospital ground ambulance transfusion in Iowa, what is being done to change them, and the logistics involved in a prehospital transfusion program

Laboratory professionals have a choice to make: either be active and effective participants in the legislative and regulatory process, or potentially end up as an afterthought as enormous change occurs in the federal government. For maximum effectiveness, laboratory professionals need sharply defined understanding of the issues and the legislative and regulatory processes as well as clear-eyed perspectives on the consequences of inaction.

This presentation will provide a briefing on the current advocacy environment in Washington and how it will impact our community's issues like laboratory reimbursement, regulation of laboratory developed tests, and the laboratory workforce. 

An inside look at how government really works will be discussed as well as what is required to be effective “labvocates.”
Learning Objectives:

1. Discuss significant federal legislative and regulatory issues affecting or that may affect clinical laboratories and medical laboratory professionals, including workforce, reimbursement and testing regulation.
2. Recognize how the dynamics of the current political environment and the approaching mid-term elections will influence those issues.
3. Use the knowledge of issues and institutional structures to develop the most effective advocacy approach.