The New IDSA Influenza Guidelines and Their Impact on Rapid Testing

Young Woman with Flu

Title: The New IDSA Influenza Guidelines and Their Impact on Rapid Testing

Date: Wednesday, August 21

Time: 1:00 p.m. ET

Presenters: Cameron Wolfe, MBBS, and Joel Mortensen, PhD

Unless otherwise noted, P.A.C.E.™ accreditation will expire six months after the live webinar.

Improving Outcomes with Molecular Tests

Lateral flow influenza tests are often used because they deliver results quickly and are relatively inexpensive. While 2018 standards require at least 80% sensitivity for influenza tests, lateral flow tests are still less sensitive than molecular tests.

New influenza guidelines from the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) encourage healthcare providers to use molecular tests to improve detection and support timelier and more appropriate antiviral and antibiotic treatment. But with so many molecular tests to choose from, finding the right one can be difficult.

In this P.A.C.E.-accredited Fisher Healthcare Webinar, we’ll provide an overview of the various rapid flu tests — including the use of rapid molecular technology for high-volume, decentralized, and point-of-care flu testing. We’ll also review studies that demonstrate the value of rapid molecular testing. Dr. Cameron Wolfe will present the new flu guidelines and the rationale for using higher sensitivity tests for improved clinical benefits. And Dr. Joel Mortensen will share his experience with evaluating available tests, best practices for implementation, and key findings to help guide those who are moving to molecular testing.

Learning Objectives

This webinar will help you:

  • Identify and describe the latest IDSA influenza guidelines
  • Discuss various influenza test methods, including EIA, PCR, and other molecular methods
  • Review evidence that supports the value of rapid molecular influenza testing
  • Discuss the recent evaluation and implementation of rapid molecular influenza testing across an integrated health network

Watch on Demand      Download Slides (PDF, 2.3MB)

This webinar is produced by Whitehat Communications, a provider of continuing education programs in clinical laboratory sciences that has been approved by the ASCLS P.A.C.E. Program. One P.A.C.E. credit hour will be provided for this complimentary, basic-level program.


Presenters

Joel E. Mortensen, PhD, FAAM, HCLD

Joel E. Mortensen, PhD, FAAM, HCLD

Dr. Mortensen is the Director of the Diagnostic Diseases Testing Laboratory at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. He is also a member of the hospital’s Antimicrobial Stewardship Program Committee and the Drug Use Subcommittee, which are focused on improving the choice, dose, and duration of therapy as well as patient outcomes. Mortensen is a member of the expert panel assigned to the ASM/CDC Evidence-Based Laboratory Practice Guidelines on Blood Culture Contamination.

Cameron Wolfe, MBBS (Hons), MPH, FIDSA, CPDM, AMusA

Cameron Wolfe, MBBS (Hons), MPH, FIDSA, CPDM, AMusA

Dr. Wolfe is an Associate Professor of Medicine in the Division of Infectious Disease and International Health at Duke University. He is the Chief Medical Director for the university’s Emerging Pathogens Unit and serves as one of the core Transplant Infectious Disease Faculty. Wolfe was appointed to the IDSA Influenza Guidelines National Working Group and co-authored the 2018 influenza guideline update.