Program Goals

This program is designed to improve clinical awareness regarding influenza testing options. The emphasis will be on rapid point-of-care tests and will evaluate the advantages and limitations of these testing methods and provide guidance for optimizing test result interpretation.

Target Audience

Clinical healthcare professionals including those involved in primary care, emergency medicine, pediatrics, long-term care, family practice and appropriate laboratory environments.

Educational Objectives

After completing this activity, the participant should be able to:

1. Recognize the clinical and public health impact of influenza.
2. Identify the different laboratory tests available for influenza.
3. Compare and contrast the different test methods for influenza.
4. Discuss how to optimize the use of influenza tests in the general clinical environment.

CME (ACCME) Accreditation Statement

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and Policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint sponsorship of Medical Education Collaborative (MEC) and Dane Garvin Ltd. Medical Education Collaborative is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Credit Designation – Physician, CME

Medical Education Collaborative designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s) ™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Credit Designation – ANCC

Medical Education Collaborative (MEC) is the accredited provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation. RNs, LPNs, LVNs and NPs can receive up to 1.0 contact hours for participation in this program. This program is cosponsored with Medical Education Collaborative, Inc. (MEC) and Dane Garvin, Ltd. Provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider Number CEP 12990, for 1.2 contact hour(s).

Credit Designation – Lab Professional, P.A.C.E.^®

The American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science’s Professional Acknowledgment for Continuing Education (P.A.C.E.®) Program will provide 1.0 contact hour of credit.

Commercial Support Statement

This activity is supported by an educational grant from Quidel Inc.

Faculty

Peter A. Shult, Ph.D.
Director, Communicable Disease Division and Emergency Laboratory Response
Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene, Madison, Wisconsin

Disclosure of Conflicts of Interests

Instructors, planners, managers and other individuals who are in a position to control the content of this activity are required to disclose any real or apparent conflict of interest they may have as related to the content of this activity. All identified conflicts of interest are thoroughly vetted for fair balance, scientific objectivity of studies mentioned in the materials or used as the basis for content, and appropriateness of patient care recommendations.

Faculty Disclosures

Name	Type	Commercial Supporter
Peter A. Shult, Ph.D.	N.A.	N.A.

Employees of Medical Education Collaborative, the accredited provider for this activity, have disclosed that they have no significant financial relationships.

How to Obtain CME Credit

Viewers are expected to visit all presentations before attempting to take the test and activity evaluation. Successful completion will lead to the issuance of a certificate for 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s) ™. To receive credit, the course must be completed before December 31, 2008.

If you attended the live presentation on August 28, 2007 and have received CME credit for this program, you are not eligible for additional credit.

Participation in this activity should be completed in approximately 1.0 hour. Please follow these steps in order to receive CME credit for viewing the webcast:

• Read all of the CME accreditation information above.
• View the complete webcast program.
• Click on the link to apply for CME credits.
• Complete the online registration (registration is free).
• Complete the online test and/or evaluation. Participants must receive a test score of at least 70% and answer all evaluation questions to receive a certificate.
• After successfully completing the online test and evaluation, your application will be processed by the CME provider and your certificate will be sent to you. Please allow 3-4 weeks for this process.

Should you have any CME questions regarding this activity, please contact:
Medical Education Collaborative
651 Corporate Circle, Suite 104
Golden, CO 80401
866.420.3252 (toll free)
303.420.3259 (fax)
http://www.meccme.org/

How to Obtain P.A.C.E.^® Credit

Viewers are expected to complete the presentation before attempting to submit contact information and the session evaluation. Successful completion will lead to the issuance of a certificate for 1.0 contact hour of P.A.C.E.® approved continuing education. To receive credit, the course must be completed before December 31, 2008. No post-test is required through April 25, 2008; after that date a quiz must be completed to earn credit.

If you attended the live presentation on August 28, 2007, and have already received P.A.C.E.® credit for this program, you are not eligible for additional credit.

Participation in this activity should be completed in approximately 1.0 hour. Please follow these steps in order to receive P.A.C.E.® credit for viewing the webcast:

• Read all of the information above.
• View the complete webcast program.
• Click on the link to apply for P.A.C.E.® credit.
• Complete the online registration (registration is free).
• Complete the online test and/or evaluation. Participants must receive a test score of at least 70% (if taken after April 25, 2008) and answer all evaluation questions to receive a certificate.
• After successfully completing the online test and/or evaluation, your application will be processed by the CE provider and your certificate will be sent to you via email. Please allow 3-4 weeks for this process.

Should you have any P.A.C.E.® questions regarding this activity, please contact:
ASCLS P.A.C.E.®
6701 Democracy Blvd., Suite 300
Bethesda, MD 20817-1574
Ph: 301-657-2768
Fx: 301-657-2909
http://www.ascls.org/

For technical difficulties, please consult our Technical Instructions.

Release date: October 25, 2007
Expiration date: December 31, 2008

Click here to view the web conference
"Rapid Influenza Testing: What the Clinician Needs to Know"