Mark your calendar: Anaerobe Bacteriology Workshop – May 9, 2013, Toronto

In today’s laboratory environment, cost effectiveness is now a common goal. How can microbiology laboratories apply cost-effective measures to anaerobic cultures? This seminar will answer that question and discuss simple and proven methods to isolate and identify anaerobic bacteria. The workshop will consist of three hours of lecture and three hours of practical exam. Lecture will cover theoretical aspects of obligate anaerobiosis, types of infections involving anaerobic bacteria, and organisms most frequently involved in infections. Techniques covered will include specimen collection, primary isolation, identification and susceptibility testing. The practical exam session will present fourteen unknown organisms for identification using rapid, inexpensive, and reliable procedures.

QMP–LS Announces its 2013–14 External Quality Assessment Program

The External Quality Assessment (EQA) division of QMP–LS has planned 107 challenge surveys and 5 dry/web-based challenges associated with red cell disorders, coagulation, bone marrow examination, morphology and transfusion medicine for Ontario participants for the year April 1, 2013 to March 31, 2014. There are 2 patterns-of-practice surveys associated with the following:

Call for Abstracts: AMMI Canada – CACMID Annual Conference 2013 in Québec City

On behalf of AMMI Canada and CACMID, we invite you to join us in Québec City from April 4th to 6th for the 2013 Annual Conference.

The AMMI Canada – CACMID Annual Conference is THE Canadian meeting for physicians, microbiologists, researchers, laboratory technologists, as well as students interested in infectious diseases, and clinical and medical microbiology.

Antimicrobial Resistance in Common Hospital Pathogens in Ontario

QMP–LS has been tracking the evolution of resistance in common hospital pathogens in Ontario since 1996. In January 2012, QMP–LS conducted its 16th annual survey assessing the incidence of resistant hospital pathogens in the province in 2011. All 77 (62 hospital-based and 15 community-based) currently licensed bacteriology laboratories responded. These 77 laboratories provide service for 211 hospitals.

Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae in Ontario, 2008-2011

Carbapenems, such as ertapenem, imipenem and meropenem, are the most potent class among ß-lactam antibiotics. They are highly active against most Gram-negative bacteria, including those that produce extended-spectrum  ß-lactamases (ESBLs) or AmpC enzymes. Carbapenems are used as ‘agents of last resort’ for the treatment of serious infections caused by multidrug resistant Gram-negative bacteria. Consequently, carbapenem-resistant organisms represent a global public health concern.

QMP–LS Announces its 2012–13 External Quality Assessment Program

The External Quality Assessment (EQA) division of QMP–LS has planned 111 challenge surveys and 7 dry/web-based challenges associated with red cell disorders, coagulation, bone marrow examination, morphology and transfusion medicine for Ontario participants for the year April 1, 2012 to March 31, 2013. There are 4 patterns-of-practice surveys associated with the following:

• Quality indicators in microbiology
• Validation of abnormal spurious hematology results, new parameters, uncertainty of measurement, etc.
• Use of new techniques in genetics laboratories
• Trends in cytology

EQA Parameters Monitored in 2012/13

The External Quality Assessment program will monitor the following parameters in 2012/13.

A New Distribution Centre for QMP-LS EQA Survey Material

QMP–LS is pleased to announce that we are subcontracting with Gamma Dynacare Medical Laboratories (GDML) for the packaging and distribution of EQA survey material for chemistry, hematology and transfusion medicine.

Event: Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) Laboratory Symposium

Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE)
Laboratory Symposium

June 24, 2011
Central Public Health Laboratory
Auditorium
81 Resources Road, Toronto, ON  M9P 3T1

Antimicrobial resistance in common hospital pathogens in Ontario

By A. McGeer, C.A. Fleming, B.M. Willey, D.E. Low

QMP–LS has been tracking the evolution of resistance in common hospital pathogens in Ontario since 1996. In January 2011, QMP–LS conducted its 15^th annual survey assessing the incidence of resistant hospital pathogens in the province in 2010.  All 80 (64 hospital-based, 15 community-based and 1 public health laboratory) currently licensed bacteriology laboratories responded. These 80 laboratories provide service for 211 hospitals. See Table 2 (p. 12-27 of PDF file) for detailed responses.