T076. Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute Update on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing
Originally Presented: March 11, 2009
Speaker: Richard Van Enk

Summary of Session: The Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) establishes guidelines for antimicrobial susceptibility testing used by most clinical laboratories in the United States. CLSI guidelines are published each year and include updates and changes that show laboratories which antimicrobial agents to test and report, how to perform susceptibility testing on newly recognized pathogens, how to perform quality control testing on new antibiotics, and how to detect new and emerging mechanisms of resistance. Laboratories that perform susceptibility testing should update their procedures annually based on CLSI guidelines.

Objectives: Upon completion of this Teleconference, participants should be able to:

• Cite the most important changes in the 2009 CLSI susceptibility testing guidelines;
• Explain the reason for each important change; and
• Apply the new guidelines to their laboratory by updating their laboratory procedures.

Intended Audience: The teleconference is primarily intended for ASM Division C. The intended audience includes Medical Technologists, Medical Technology students, supervisors, managers, laboratory directors and pathologists who perform or supervise antimicrobial susceptibility testing for patients. Other personnel who may benefit include infection control preventionists, infectious disease physicians, and pharmacists who use antimicrobial susceptibility data.

CME Disclosures: Richard Van Enk, Ph.D. has nothing to disclose.

ASM Policy on Faculty Discussion of Unapproved or Unlabeled Uses of Drugs of Devices
In accordance with the ACCME Essential Areas and Policies relating to commercial support, the audience is advised that Dr. Van Enk will not be discussing any off-label usage of products.

Termination of CME Credit: This program will not be eligible for CME credit after March 11, 2010