Slovak Conference Focuses on Quality Control in Lab Diagnostics

Edited by Edgard Delvin, Ph.D., FCACB IFCC members may send news to: Edgard Delvin, Ph.D., FCACB, Head, Dept of Clin Biochemistry, CHU Ste-Justine, 3175 Cote Ste-Catherine, Montreal, Quebec H3T1C5 Tel: (1) 514-345-4831 (ext. 5635); E-mail: [email protected] NEWS

Contributed by Marko Kapalla, Slovakian EPMA Representative and Program Committee Chairman

n November 2011, the beautiful city of Poprad, “Capital” of the Slovak High Tatras IMountains greeted the biennial international conference Labkvalita 2011, on quality in clinical laboratory diagnostics of the Slovak Society of Clinical Biochemistry (www.sskb.sk). Since 1993, this conference, accredited to give continuing medical education credits, attracts Slovak and foreign laboratory professionals, practitioners and specialists. This year the program focused on new trends in predictive, preventive, and person- Photo: (From left to right) Katarina Danova, president of the Slovak Society alized medicine (PPPM) not only from the technology and quality points of view but of Clinical Biochemistry, Jan Balla, IFCC representative in Slovakia and pro- also from those of ethics, law, finance, and politics. Approximately 180 delegates reg- gram committee member, Marko Kapalla, EPMA representative in Slovakia istered, and 19 suppliers and manufacturers provided exhibits to promote new prod- and program committee chairman. Photo by Magdalena Kacaniova ucts in the field of clinical laboratory diagnostics. The Scientific program was divided into 5 sections: Preanalytics; Predictive, Preventive, and Personalized Medicine; Cooperation between the laboratory and the clinicians; Accreditation and quality in medical laboratory; and Quality of healthcare policy, visions, and ethics. Lecturers from Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, United Kingdom, and Slovakia gave the various talks on particular topics. Details of the program are available at www.sskb.sk. Among invited lecturers, there were also top representatives of European Association for Predictive, Preventive, and Personalized Medicine (EPMA) who kindly accepted the invitation and were delighted by warm welcome and the interest of SSKB in promoting PPPM among clinical laboratory professionals in Slovakia. Implementation of PPPM at different levels has been repeatedly presented as an attribute of increased quality in healthcare.

Highlighted Themes and Debates The lectures given and the subsequent discussions have emphasized the role of new predictive markers, role of information systems, importance of good cooperation between laboratory and clinicians, essential role of education, interactive communication with health insurance, greater participation of Slovak laboratory professionals on shaping the healthcare policy for the benefit of the patient, and the role of communication with the patient. Among the highlighted themes were also the following: • PPPM will have impact on laboratory diagnostics and it may substantially improve the quality and complexity of the services in the field of laboratory diagnostics if implemented into daily routine of clinical laboratories. • Accreditation of the clinical laboratories in Slovakia continues and more laboratories realize that the benefits of accreditation outweigh the trou- bles, paperwork, and the required energy dedicated to keeping the accreditation once the lab is accredited. On the other hand, accreditation Cont’d on page 34

LabMedica International 33 April/2012 News from the World of the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine NEWS Visit www.ifcc.org for more information

deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). My IFCC Professional Scientific Observation and hands-on Exchange Program (PSEP) Experience experience in the various phases of this process have by Dr. Mabel A. Charles-Davies, Immediate Past IFCC National greatly improved my confi- Representative (Nigeria), Department of Chemical Pathology, dence in the use of these College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria. techniques. These analyses require top quality controls he purpose of spending my sab- Laboratory Medicine (IFCC) course and laboratory safety, to Tbatical period in Prof. Maurizio in Molecular Biology in Milan (Italy) in which the staff strictly Ferrari's laboratory was to improve 2006 was intended to achieve the adheres. The environment my capacity of applying advanced above objective but time was short, and friendly atmosphere are technologies, particularly molecular and facilities were then unavailable in conducive to the success of biology, in the of diagnosis of dis- our laboratory to continue with what the laboratory. I am now eases, and in research in the field of was learnt. applying what I have learned reproductive endocrinology. My In the last few months, I have been to the molecular diagnosis of exposure to the “state of the art” through various aspects of molecular azoospermia. I designed the molecular biology techniques in Prof. diagnosis of 21β-hydroxylase enzyme required primers and I am Photo: (From left to right) Prof. Maurizio Ferrari, Ferrari's Laboratory has allowed me deficiencies. Southern blotting and presently setting the condi- Dr. Mabel Charles-Davies to fulfill my dreams and aspiration. hybridization as well as polymerase tions for multiplex PCR. My attendance at the International chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing On the social side, hospitality and Chemistry of Nigeria (ACCN). Federation of Clinical Chemistry and were applied after having extracted courtesy are part of the ltalian culture. I am very grateful to the IFCC for I found everyone friendly and ready to granting me the PSEP. It was finan- help, even not convenient. My enrol- cially very stressful before this aid, ment in an Italian school for foreigners because of the relative cost of trans- DISTRIBUTORS 2 hours a week greatly enhanced my portation and accommodation bet- INVITED TO APPLY interaction with others, particularly ween Nigeria and the EU. outside the laboratory where English I must extent my wholehearted Your Source for Sterilization Accessories language, my mode of communica- thanks to Prof. Maurizio Ferrari, who tion, is scarcely understood. generously opened his doors, and THERMO This Professional Scientific Ex- offered his staff and facilities in the RESISTANT change Program was the beginning development of my career. I am partic- GLOVES of a true collaboration between my ularly grateful to Dr. Paola Carrera (in institution, the University of Ibadan charge of my training) and Dr. Mascia Up to 37 cm 2012 CATALOG (Nigeria), and the Vita-Salute San Di Marzio (who supervised my hands- in length AVAILABLE Raffaele University, in Milan (Italy). on experience in 21β-hydroxylase I recommend the continuation of enzyme work, including interpretation), the IFCC PSEP program in settings and the whole laboratory staff of the INSTRUMENT MATS Department of Molecular Biology and TURBOTURBO WASHINGWASHING with advanced technologies, in partic- Thermo-Resistant (-60°C to 300°C) MACHINES TRAYS ular for individuals from developing Cytogenetics for their assistance and Fully Washable & Flexible countries. This will, beyond courses friendliness. I am also grateful to Ms. Denise Bottoni (Prof. Ferrari's Suitable for central sterilization services organized by the IFCC both within and outside their countries, build capacity Secretary) and Dr. Monica Zanusi for Sterilizable Exchangable Heavy Silicone Cover and increase confidence in the use of their availability that made my stay advanced technologies in their labora- socially comforting. I cannot thank INSTRUMENTINSTRUMENT COVERCOVER MATMAT MICRO INSTRUMENT MAT tories. The additional knowledge and them enough. I also wish to thank Prof. experience I have gained in Milan will E.O Agbedan, my Department Head at Front Back impact on my colleagues and stu- the College of Medicine, University of dents, and the Association of Clinical Ibadan, for his support and advice.

WASHING TRAYS MAT MICRO INSTRUMENT MAT Slovak Conference Focuses on Quality Control NEW: SPECIAL Cont’d from page 33 comes from the utterly underestimat- GRAY COLOR itself cannot guarantee the quality ed role of the laboratory diagnostics under insufficient quality of health- in healthcare by the government and Front Back Front Back care policy where there are numer- politicians. ous distortions in the field of laborato- • Distortion of fair competition in labo- STERILIZABLE WORK-SURFACE MATS ry diagnostics. ratory diagnostics resulting from the Guaranteed protection for: Adjustable • Distortion of professional attitude is potential conflicts of interests is Surgical Instruments Trays, Containers to all sizes. repeatedly noticed in the case were another problem of clinical laboratory Standard: competing laboratories, being under diagnostics in Slovakia, which dele- Micro-Surgery Ultrasonic Cleaners 500 x 320 mm pressure from investors, try to gather gates of the conference perceive as as many samples as possible, often an unacceptable situation. forgetting that the service they offer Although clinical laboratory diagnostics is done for the patient and not for the is essential field for medicine, and is rec- sheer profit of the investor. ognized by EPMA in the concept of predic- NEW! • Distortion of laboratory services and tive, preventive and personalized medi- 100% Silicone Size: 2400 x 1000 mm (3 mm thick) decreasing quality is also caused by cine, with help and political backing from the attitude of the health insurance other experts and international organiza- companies, which often “reimburse” tions, clinical laboratory professionals money according to very question- must exert substantially more effort to VICOTEX S.A. able policy that frequently ruins any Place de la Gare 1 • 1009 Pully • Switzerland change the unsustainable situation in possible and essential progress in Tel: (41) 21-728-4286 • Fax: (41) 21-729-6741 Slovak clinical laboratory diagnostics in clinical laboratory diagnostics. This E-Mail: [email protected] order to increase the quality to the level distortion of the common sense that can be appreciated by the patient. www.vicotex.com LabMedica International April/2012 34 LINKXPRESS COM LMI-04-12 134 LINKXPRESS.COM LMI-04-12 172 LINKXPRESS.COM LMI-04-12 173

LINKXPRESS COM LMI-04-12 135 News from the World of the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine NEWS Visit www.ifcc.org for more information IFCC-Task Force for Young Scientists Holds Educational Workshop in India

Contributed by Pradeep Kumar Dabla, IFCC-TF YS Member & National Representative

walior, Madhya Pradesh, India, December 3, prospects of self and laboratory medicine. G2011. As a part of efforts of IFCC-Task Force In keeping with these objectives, the Task Force Young Scientists (IFCC-TF YS) to promote net- organized Educational Workshop themed “Think working between young scientists, to involve them The Unthinkable.” For the first time, this workshop, in activities of laboratory medicine, and to promote second in continuation of the one-day workshop the future of laboratory medicine, the IFCC-TF YS organized during the 37th Conference of the in collaboration with the Association of Clinical Association of Clinical Biochemists of India in Biochemists of India (ACBI) held an Educational December 2010, brought the laboratory medicine Workshop on December 3, 2011. The program was and Industry together, stressing on Various Job well attended by more than 100 candidates from Opportunities present in Industry and other sectors various streams all over India. The event was host- related to Laboratory Medicine. This was an impor- ed by the ACBI Conference (ACBICON) 2011 tant step since it sought to share experiences, Organizing Committee under supervision of Dr. scope, and a common platform for both the labora- Neelima Singh (Organizing Secretary), and held at tory personnel and the industry, which will lead to the ITM University, Gwalior (Madhya Pradesh, well-thought solutions to bridge the gap. Photo: (Left) Dr. Pradeep Kumar Dabla, Head of India). The workshop was organized with close cooper- the Department of Biochemistry, Chacha Nehru Bal IFCC has identified the need for young scien- ation with IFCC and ACBI. Addressing the con- Chikitsalya Pediatric Superspecialty Hospital, New tists to participate in Task Force activities and to clave, Mr. J. Lopez (EB-IFCC & Past-President Delhi receiving a memento from Mr. Joseph Lopez, understand the latest practices in laboratory health- APFCB) praised the Task Force initiative and IFCC Executive Board Member, representing the care sector. Therefore, various Educational work- stressed upon the need to share experiences and President Dr. Graham Beastall. shops have been organized during IFCC and challenges around the world. He explained the Member Societies Congresses under the roof of need of live sessions to demonstrate the laboratory biochemists. Dr. Pradeep Kumar Dabla, convener, IFCC-TF YS. The concept of these activities is to management to build the future leadership. Then, and National Representative IFCC-TF YS dis- encourage interactions between young scientists to Dr. Sucheta Dandekar (President ACBI) addressed cussed the Task Force objectives and commitment face challenges, and to brighten the future and summarized the ACBI initiatives for the young of focused trainings to strengthen the future prospects of young laboratorians in absence of Damien Gruson, Chair IFCC-TF YS. The all senior members and EB-ACBI were present to support the cause. Dr. Dabla stressed, “With a robust general economy and with extraordinary advances being made in biotechnology and biopharmaceuticals, excellent positions are available in a wide variety of fields for current and future college graduates.” While dis- cussing various fields he emphasized on making a decision about what type of career and exactly what field will be best for you and the importance of dual proficiency of management training. Dr. Elizabeth Frank (Chair of the Clinical Lab Management Committee of the IFCC & elected Secretary APFCB) explained the work strategies related to jobs vs. careers. Then she discussed about Entrepreneurship and how to start and man- aging your own business. Dr. Gurumukh Advani (Sales President Transasia) gave the view on how India is emerging as leading player in business and economy. He pointed out, “Healthcare delivery is growing as a largest service sector with excellent 15% growth per annum in India,” and explained the role of biochemists in lab industry. In this blend of excellent professionals, Mr. Shankar Haveri, (Head Healthcare Learning Academy, Siemens Healthcare) discussed the learning academy programs and opportunities in various less known areas of IVD Industry. In row, Dr. Rajesh Bendre (Consultant Pathologist & HOD Immunochemistry, Metropolis Healthcare) explained the concept of Clinical Reference laboratories, the role of laboratory professionals and the job profiles and career opportunities. He emphasized on the need of multi- tasking behaviour and flexibility. Dr. Dabla, ended by giving Dr. Gruson's view about the young scientists and laboratory medicine. To summarize, the workshop has provided tan- gible results for the young laboratory professionals to select the right path after completing their studies. It has provided the vision about the various techniques and essentials to reach the right desti- nation.

LabMedica International April/2012 36 News from the World of the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine Visit www.ifcc.org for more information NEWS AACB News: Looking Back to Look Ahead

Contributed by Sandra Klingberg, Chair AACB Media and Communications Committee; Editor, Clinical Biochemist Newsletter he year 2011 has been a year of lished in the Clinical Biochemists Tmilestones for The Australasian Newsletter, both Prof. Burnett and Dr. Association of Clinical Biochemists St John reflected on things past, (AACB), the most notable of these present, and future. being the celebration of 50 years Key issues and highlights noted in since the formation of the AACB in these two reports included: May 1961. • Development of international col- Our Golden Jubilee was celebrat- laborations and cooperation with ed throughout the year with special sister Associations such as the events held in each of the Branches APFCB, IFCC, AACC, and ACB including the Roman Lecture tour • Forging new links with the EFCC featuring one of our founding fathers, and emerging Associations in Prof. Geoffrey Kellerman. The South-East Asia Photo: Celebrating the AACB's 50th Birthday: Prof Geoffrey Kellerman (2nd Golden Jubilee was also the key • Progression of workforce issues from the left), 2011 AACB Roman Lecturer, with the Victorian AACB Branch focus of our annual scientific meeting through the reactivation of Committee. in October celebrating “Laboratory Pathology Associations Council Medicine - Past, Present & Future.” • Initiation and participation in a co-location and strategic alliance service over the last ten years, which Other significant milestones for number of major new scientific ini- with the Human Genetics Society was recognized with the presentation the AACB include the induction of a tiatives, including the introduction of Australia (HGSA) to better posi- of an outstanding service medallion new President Dr. Andrew St John of reporting of the eGFR, interna- tion the AACB for the genomic at the annual scientific meeting. The and a new Chief Executive Officer tional standardization and dual revolution good news is that we have a new (CEO), Mr. Peter Graham. reporting of HbA1c, standardiza- The relocation of the Office has CEO in Mr. Peter Graham who brings Prof. Leslie Burnett vacated the tion of pathology and terminology, also brought about another of the sig- a wealth of laboratory and manage- office of president at the annual gen- and most recently, pathology har- nificant changes to the “face” of the ment experience with him. The AACB eral meeting of the Association in monization AACB in 2011 with the recent retire- looks forward to long and productive October with Dr. Andrew St John tak- • Relocation of the AACB Head ment of our CEO, Mr. Tony Prior. The working relationship with Peter as we ing the helm. In articles recently pub- Office from Perth to Sydney with AACB is indebted to Tony's dedicated move forward into our next 50 years! IFCC Welcomes New Corporate Members Mindray enable our customers' success in www.mindray.com research, development, and produc- tion of biotech and pharmaceutical Mindray, founded in 1991 with the goal drug therapies. Through dedicated of delivering high quality, competitively collaboration on new scientific and priced medical devices to make engineering insights, and as one of healthcare more accessible and the top three R&D investors in the Life affordable around the world was listed Science Tools industry, Merck on the New York Stock Exchange in Millipore serves as a strategic partner 2006. The company has three well- to customers and helps advance the established business segments: promise of life science. Patient Monitoring and Life Support Products, In Vitro Diagnostic Products, Nova Biomedical and Medical Imaging Systems. Health care facilities equipped with Mindray's www.novabiomedical.com products can be found in over 190 Nova Biomedical's clinical laboratory countries and regions. IVD Mindray business comprises point of care IVD has a global R&D network with test systems used in hospital and pri- research centers in Shenzhen (China), mary care settings. These include inno- Beijing (China), Nanjing (China), vative new hand-held point of care sen- Seattle (USA), New Jersey (USA), and sors as well as an array of blood gas Stockholm (Sweden). and critical care analyzers offering a wide menu range. Merck Millipore - Millipore SAS www.millipore.com/labwater Immunodiagnostic Systems (IDS) Merck Millipore is the Life Science www.idsplc.com division of Merck KGaA of Germany Immunodiagnostic Systems (IDS) is and offers a broad range of innova- dedicated to the development and pro- tive, performance products, services, vision of innovative Immunoassays and business relationships that and automated immunoanalyzer technologies for use in clinical and re- IFCC OFFICE search laboratories worldwide. The Via Carlo Farini 81, 20159 Milan, ITALY company enjoys a dominant position in Tel: (39) 02-6680-9912 • Fax: (39) 02-6078-1846 the provision of immunoassay kits for E-mail: [email protected] • Web: www.ifcc.org the determination of Vitamin D (both Office Hours: 9.00-13.00 and 14.00-18.00 25-Hydroxy Vitamin D, and 1,25- Staff Members: Paola Bramati, Silvia Cattaneo, Silvia Colli-Lanzi Dihydroxy Vitamin D.

LabMedica International LINKXPRESS COM LMI-04-12 137 37 April/2012 EFLM CORNER European Federation of Clinical Edited by Dr. Bernard Gouget Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine

trainers, and of continuous development, organiza- European Funding: tional change and transformation processes of education and training. E-learning has entered adult- A Financial Windfall to Seize hood and we are in the process of evolving from preparation to practice and from pilot e-learning for Innovative Projects projects to lasting education and training programs. by Dr. Bernard Gouget The European Federation has demonstrated its clear understanding by establishing a WG on dis- SFBC-EFLM Representative; IFCC Treasure; tance learning. Moreover, its newly named Secretary General, International Francophone Federation “European Federation of Clinical Chemistry and of Clinical Biology and Laboratory Medicine (FIFBCML) Laboratory Medicine” will undoubtedly factor in cre- ativity in e-learning on many subjects! ublic health, research, and continuing education sionals (doctors, scientists and technicians) con- Pare fields in which the European Commission cerned with performing and interpreting hematolog- awards financial aid. This community funding exists ical, mycological, and parasitological exams. The to implement projects or activities related to site offers real cases taken from laboratory experi- New Acronym for EFCC European Union policy. This funding can be award- ence, with access in the user’s native language, ed to companies, associations, and healthcare facil- records validated by scientific societies, supervision ities, in the form of subsidies or investment grants. by recognized specialists, and from of personal proj- European policies are divided into thematic pro- ects. grams such as the 2007-2013 health program (the The European Commission also funded one for 2014-2019 is being negotiated) or the research on the genome, cancer, and even Program of the European Community for research, Alzheimer's disease. If they are not the leader of a technological development, and demonstration European project, health facilities and laboratories activities. Next, these programs are subdivided into or services can work with a private company, a med- projects and then funding means. Brussels regular- ical research unit, such as INSERM in France, or a ly issues calls for projects, open to all interested research center that received an EU grant. Between candidates. To respond, candidates must submit 2003 and 2009, for example, the European proposals with a European dimension and involving, Commission supported 50% of the cost of the in principle, at least three Member States. Beyond MyHeart project for developing intelligent systems he Executive Board of the European Federation this requirement, the conditions to fulfill for participa- for preventing and detecting cardiovascular disease. Tof Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine tion vary. The list of calls for proposals is available This equaled sixteen million euros. Among the forty has become aware that the abbreviation EFCC is on the Commission Website (http://ec.europa.eu/ partners and beneficiaries of the project are the San often misidentified as IFCC by other international index_en.htm under the section “Public Contracts Carlos Hospital of Madrid (Spain), and the Coimbra organizations, National Societies and other stake- and Funding,” subsection "Grants"). (Portugal) and Aix-la-Chapelle (Germany) University holders as well as by individuals from the profession. An innovative e-learning experience was led by Hospitals. The Commission never funds a project In the past, this has caused confusion and some- Prof. Corberand, hematology, at the Rangueil 100%; however, the sums paid can be substantial. times has undermined the identity of the Federation. Toulouse University Hospital, which coordinated the Most often, the allocated budgets are managed by a After consultation with National Representatives e-HEMATimage interactive multilingual project as public authority, with its partners to be clearly identi- and Presidents of our Member Societies, he part of the Leonardo da Vinci Program in the field of fied before its project is designed. Setting up proj- Executive Board has agreed to adopt EFLM to education and continuing training. The goal was to ects is difficult, but European associations such as replace EFCC as the acronym to describe our create online continuing-education programs on the the European Hospital and Healthcare Federation Federation. The full name of the Federation remains topic of hematology. The programs are available in (HOPE) can provide valuable and effective assis- unchanged: European Federation of Clinical eight languages and accessible to medical biology tance. Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine. professionals. In 2009, this successful operation The e-MEDICINimage project is a good example We take this occasion to thank all our National generated a second, e-MEDICINimage (www. of the generalization of e-learning in our education Society Members for supporting the Executive Board e-hematimage.eu/index.jsp?Langue=en&Pays=GB), and training systems. Connectivity and equipment in this important decision for the future “branding” of with the goal of improving knowledge and know- are no longer central questions, and the focus is our Federation how, in the fields of hematology, mycology, and par- now on problems of pedagogy, content, and quality Yours sincerely, Ian Watson, EFLM President asitology for all medical biology laboratory profes- assurance and standards, training of teachers and

LINK PRESS COM LINK PRESS COM X LMI-04-12 140 X LMI-04-12 139 LabMedica International April/2012 38 European Federation of Clinical EFLM CORNER Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine

14th Berkes Annual Scientific Conference Held in Belgrade

by Dr. Snezana Jovicic, Member of the IFCC eNews Working Group

he 2011 Annual Scientific Con- Skopje, and Belgrade. His work at the Tference “Professor Ivan Berkes” Faculty of Pharmacy of the University was held on December 1, at Military of Belgrade was in great part directed Medical Academy in Belgrade towards the definition and foundation (Serbia). As it is customary, the lectur- of the specialist studies program. In ers were clinical laboratory profes- addition, Prof. Berkes introduced sionals who have defended their doc- Clinical Enzymology as an independ- toral thesis in the course of the past ent discipline. With over 200 publica- year at the Faculty of Pharmacy and tions, mentoring of 150 specialists in Faculty of Medicine. This year, they medical biochemistry and several were Dr. Janko Pejovic (Military tens of doctoral candidates, Prof. Medical Academy, Belgrade), Dr. Berkes left an indelible mark in clini- Marijana Dajak (Faculty of Phar- cal laboratory profession in Serbia. macy, University of Belgrade), Dr. After his death in 1997, the Society of Jasenka Lalos-Miljus (Faculty of Medical Biochemists of Yugoslavia Medicine, University of Banja Luka, and the Faculty of Pharmacy of the Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and University of Belgrade founded the Herzegovina) and Dr. Jelena Popovic Scientific Fund and Annual Scientific (Faculty of Medicine, University of Nis, Conference named after him, as a Serbia). sign of appreciation and respect for This Annual Scientific Conference this remarkable teacher and eminent Photo: (From left to right) Awarded students with the Dean and Professors of and Fund “Professor Ivan Berkes“ expert. Faculty of Pharmacy; Milena Andelkovic, Prof. Nada Majkic-Singh, Prof. Nada was established to honor life and work Awards from the Scientific Fund Kovacevic, Sanela Dordevic, Ana Milojevic, Prof. Svetlana Ignjatovic of Prof. Ivan Berkes, one of the “Professor Ivan Berkes” are given founders of medical biochemistry in yearly to the two best graduate stu- ate in pharmacy, and the other in med- Milojevic (Master of Pharmacy-med- former Yugoslavia. He taught medical dents from the Faculty of Pharmacy of ical biochemistry. However, 2011 ical biochemistry). biochemistry at Universities in Zagreb, the University of Belgrade, one gradu- called for a special event as the first After the traditional welcoming students graduated according to the address of Colonel Prof. Marijan new syllabus harmonized with the Novakovic, Head of Military Medical 2nd EFCC-UEMS European Bologna declaration. Hence, this year Academy, and of Prof. Nada Kova- Joint Congress: Laboratory Medicine the Fund gave four diplomas and cevic, Dean of Faculty of Pharmacy, monetary awards; two to students and Chair of the event, Prof. Majkic- at the Clinical Interface graduated according to previous Singh, presented awards. school system - Mladen Milovic (phar- With this successful conference, e take this opportunity to inform recognition of the profession at the macy graduate) and Milena we remembered once again, the lega- Wyou that the Scientific Program of European level will be presented and An_elkovic (pharmacy-medical bio- cy of Prof. Ivan Berkes, whose stu- the 2nd EFCC-UEMS European Joint discussed. chemistry graduate), and two to dents represent the core of science of Congress has been finalized and is now Abstract Submission is also now “Bologna graduates” - Sanela Dorde- medical biochemistry and clinical lab- available at www.dubrovnik2012.com. available at the Congress web site. Best vic (Master of Pharmacy) and Ana oratory practice in Serbia today. The Scientific Committee has done a posters will be awarded with Poster great job in gathering the recognized awards. international experts in the field who will be presenting the latest news and find- Dates to remember are: ings in their field. The Scientific Program • Abstract Submission Deadline: will encompass 3 plenary sessions, 15 May 15, 2012 scientific symposia, 4 highly interactive • Early Registration Deadline: pro- and contra- sessions, as well as a May 1, 2012 series of specialized industry sponsored workshops. We proudly announce that EFLM We would like to draw your particu- (formerly EFCC) Travel grants are avail- lar attention to the S10 Session able for Young Congress participants. (Friday, October 12, 2012, 14:00- For more details, please visit: www.efc- 15:30h) on Education of Specialists in clm.eu. Laboratory Medicine in Europe within We look forward to see you in which most recent advances in the Dubrovnik!

LabMedica International LINKXPRESS COM LMI-04-12 138 39 April/2012 EFLM CORNER European Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine

EFLM Reaches Collaboration Agreement with the European Society for Pharmacogenomics and Theranostics (ESPT) Memorandum of Understanding as invited speakers has been the WG activities. quality of the preanalytical phase Ahas been prepared to define a col- arranged during the following National A large number of nominations was of laboratory medicine; laborative working relationship bet- Congresses: received and the selected candidates 2) To define the best practices and ween EFLM and ESPT, the European • 11th Baltic Congress of Laboratory are as follows: provide recommendations for Society for Pharmacogenomics and Medicine - Vilnius (LT), May 10-12, Cardiac Markers (WG-CM): some critical activities in the prean- Theranostics, to foster the cooperation 2012 Christopher DUFF (UK); Biological alytical phase; and to advance Clinical Laboratory • Congress of the Slovak Society of Variation (WG-BV): Federica Braga 3) To design and validate question- Medicine. The European Society of Clinical Biochemistry (NC SSCB) - (IT); Guidelines (WG-G): Shivani naires for assessing the current Pharmacogenomics and Theranostics Banska Bystrica (SK), May 27-29, Misra (UK); Test Evaluation (WG-TE): practices related to some pre-ana- (ESPT) is a nonprofit organization, 2012 Philip Monoghan (UK); Preanalytical lytical variables; whose aims are to promote the educa- • XXXIII Nordic Congress in Clinical Phase (WG-PA): Michael Cornes 4) To conduct surveys using validated tion and research in pharmacoge- Chemistry - Reykjavik (IS), June (UK); Congresses and Postgraduate questionnaires with the aim to nomics and theranostics, to ensure the 12-15, 2012 Education (WG-CPE): Andjelo Beletic assess the current pre-analytical high standards in their application to • National Days for Russian Lab- (SRB); Distance Education and e- practices; clinical practice for improving the deliv- oratory Medicine - InterLabDiag- Learning (WG-DE): Darya Kisilichina 5) Organize symposia, workshops, ery of medicines, to provide a scientific nostika 2012 - Moscow (RU), (RU); Accreditation and ISO/CEN webinars, or training courses on basis for official recommendations and October 2-4, 2012 (WG-A/ISO): Kanella Konstantinakou preanalytical phase issues. to provide education materials for • 7th Conference of the Romanian (GR) One of the main future activities of patients, clinicians and all health work- Association of Medical Laborato- this WG will be to organize the 2nd ers. For further information, the docu- ries (RAML) with International Working Group: EFLM-BD Conference on pre-analyti- ment is downloadable at the following Participation - Sinaia, Romania Preanalytical Phase (WG-PA) cal phase, during March 1-2, 2013, in link: http://efcclm.eu/downloads/ (sec- (RO), June 20-23, 2012 The pre- and post-analytical phases of Zagreb, Croatia. tion: Agreement) the laboratory testing process are now New Type of Membership: widely recognized as the major source EFLM-AACB Agreement on the EFLM Presence at Young Membership of laboratory errors. Preanalytical Joint Task-and-Finish Working National Society Meetings The EFLM Executive Board to errors are the most common and Group on Critical Values (TFG-CV) The Executive Board appreciates the strengthen the role of Young account for up to 2/3 of the total num- EFLM and AACB (Australasian Asso- support it receives from National Scientists inside its Working Groups ber of errors. The risk for errors in the ciation of Clinical Biochemists) recog- Societies and individual members of invited National Societies to send laboratory testing process quite is nize the added value of working these societies in the various past and nominations. The number of Full underestimated in the everyday clini- together to foster cooperation and to current EFLM activities. To foster this Members' positions inside each EFLM cal practice. To reduce the error risk, advance Laboratory Medicine. To for- relationship, EFLM officers' atten- Working Group has been enlarged to important steps are to increase the malize this cooperation a joint Task- dance, and their active participation enable Young Scientists to take part in awareness of the importance of the and-Finish Working Group on Critical preanalytical phase in the total testing Values (TFG-CV) has been estab- process and recommend guidelines lished for a 2-year period. for the best preanalytical practices. Action points that are of mutual Efficient indicators and educational interest to both parties are: tools should be provided in order to 1) To expand the recent Australasian implement the best preanalytical prac- survey on critical values manage- tices. ment to Europe. For this reason, a new EFLM WG 2) To publish results of the European was created under the Chairmanship survey of critical value manage- of Prof. Ana-Maria Simundic (Croatia). ment jointly with AACB This WG will focus their work on 3) Develop joint recommendations on the following: best laboratory practice for com- 1) To promote the importance of the municating critical results.

News from the Belgian Society

by Prof. J.P. Chapelle, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Liège, Chef du Service de Chimie médicale uring the year 2011, the Royal BSCB/RBSCC joint National Sym- DBelgian Society of Clinical Chem- posium (October 15, 2011), three prizes istry (RBSCC) organized a National were awarded to young investigators for Symposium (Brussels, April 7, 2011) on a recently published article relating to the topic “New and sensitive testing: clinical biology. improving healthcare?” and, in collabo- In 2012, the National Symposium of ration with the Belgian Society of our society will be devoted to “Medical Clinical Biology, a national meeting quality beyond operational quality in the (Liège, October 15, 2011) dealing with lab: the role of Clinical Biologist.” The “The added value of clinical-laboratory meeting will be held in Groot-Bijgaarden interaction and The future of Clinical (Brussels) on May 3, 2012. (Information: Biology”. [email protected]). The joint Nation- Education is also a main objective of al Symposium of the Belgian Society of the RSBCC. During the RRBSCC Clinical Biology will be organized in National Symposium (April 7, 2011), two Ghent on October 20, 2012. trainees in Laboratory Medicine On the international level, prelimi- received the Young Investigators Award nary contacts have been made with the in Clinical Chemistry 2010-2011 for an organizers of the 2015 EFCC Euro- outstanding publication in the field of MedLab Congress to be held in Paris applied clinical chemistry and in the field (France), in order to organize a satellite of fundamental research. During the meeting in Brussels.

LabMedica International April/2012 40