Diagnosing Group A Strep Pharyngitis - Which Technique is Best for You?

Cardinal Health Lab Briefings webinar series

This webinar is presented by Gregory J. Berry, Ph.D., D(ABMM), Director of Molecular Diagnostics & Assistant Director of Infectious Disease Diagnostics at Northwell Health Laboratories.

Title: Diagnosing Group A Strep Pharyngitis - Which Technique is Best for You?

Overview

Acute pharyngitis is responsible for 15 million sick visits per year in the United States, with Group A strep accounting for 20-30% of pediatric and 5-15% of adult cases¹.  If not accurately diagnosed and treated, it can also lead to more serious complications, especially in the pediatric population. This presentation will cover the various ways in which a diagnosis of Group A Strep can be achieved. Traditional microbiology laboratory workup will be covered, as well as molecular techniques for diagnosis along with Point-of-Care (POC) testing techniques. Included within this presentation will also be the recommendations by the Infectious Disease Society of America related to lab workup and treatment for Group A Strep. The webinar will also discuss testing cost and how it relates to decisions on which testing methodologies to utilize within your laboratory.

Objectives

Upon completion of this continuing education activity, the participant should be able to:

1. Review the clinical background on Group A Strep and its role as a pathogen in human health
2. Identify various ways in which Group A Strep pharyngitis can be accurately diagnosed
3. Discuss testing recommendations for Group A Strep pharyngitis
4. Explore aspects that influence which test(s) are the best fit for a clinic/health system

Intended audience

This continuing education credit is intended for use by clinical laboratory professionals who are interested in learning about various ways to accurately diagnose Group A Strep pharyngitis.

Take the course and obtain CE credits

Attend this basic level webinars at no cost.  Cardinal Health is approved as a provider of continuing education programs in the clinical laboratory sciences by the ASCLS P.A.C.E.® Program.  This webinar is managed by Whitehat Communications and offer one P.A.C.E.® Continuing Education contact hour for up to six months after the live event.

One P.A.C.E.® credit is available upon completion of the course: Diagnosing Group A Strep Pharyngitis - Which Technique is Best for You?

P.A.C.E.® credits are widely recognized in the clinical laboratory profession and can be used to fulfill most continuing education requirements.