New resource helps improve communication between physicians in the detection of respiratory viruses
NORTHFIELD, ILL.— More than 4 million deaths occur each year due to respiratory infections, according to the World Lung Foundation. As new viral infections emerge, it is important for the clinical pathologist to communicate test results—including those for molecular-based assays—to the treating physician and hospital administration to improve and expedite patient care, as well as avoid unnecessary antibiotic use and decrease costs. The College of American Pathologists (CAP) introduced today a new resource to aid pathologists in communicating these test results. The Emerging Concepts in the Diagnosis of Respiratory Viruses is the newest addition to a series of Short Presentations in Emerging Concepts (SPECs) developed and offered by the CAP. The SPEC is available at no cost by completing the registration form on cap.org.
“The use of molecular-based assays to identify viral infections is gaining in popularity, and will largely replace traditional virology in many institutions,” said Gary W. Procop, MD, MS, FCAP, chair of Molecular Pathology at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio. “New molecular-based tests offer increased sensitivity and quicker turn-around-times, leading to faster triage and treatment, decreased use of unnecessary antibiotics and possibly shorter hospital stays,” added Dr. Procop.
Dr. Procop also is the section head of Molecular Microbiology, director of the Parasitology and Mycology Laboratories, and professor of Pathology at the Cleveland Clinic.
SPECS are short PowerPoint presentations focused on selected diseases where molecular tests play a key role in patient management. Pathologists will find the pathology SPECs an especially valuable resource as they facilitate discussion with tumor boards or other physician colleagues. “The SPEC—Emerging Concepts in the Diagnosis of Respiratory Viruses was created with the community pathologists in mind,” said Frederick L. Kiechle, MD, PhD, FCAP, medical director, Clinical Pathology at the Memorial Healthcare System in Hollywood, Fla. “These slides will help improve communication between the laboratory and treating physicians, especially when multiple testing options are available.”
Ann Moyer, MD, PhD, a member of CAP’s SPEC Work Group under the CAP’s Personalized Health Care committee, led the development on this SPEC for CAP.
“This is a timely topic both for the educational purposes and a valuable resource as we enter the flu season,” stated Dr. Moyer.
This new addition is among a series of presentations on emerging topics where molecular testing plays a key role in patient management. Other topics include breast cancer, colorectal cancer, metastatic melanoma, thryroid cancer, Lynch Syndrome, and Polycythemia and Thrombocythemia: JAK2. The SPECs are updated periodically.
“Many pathologists are utilizing these SPECS for presenting at tumor boards, grand rounds, and individual discussion with clinicians,” said Michael J. Misialek, MD, FCAP, who is chair of the SPEC Work Group, and is an associate chair of pathology at Newton-Wellesley Hospital and assistant clinical professor at Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston. “We hope the pre-developed presentation will prove to be a time-saver and serve as a valuable education tool.”
About the CAP
As the leading organization for board-certified pathologists, the College of American Pathologists (CAP) serves patients, pathologists, and the public by fostering and advocating excellence in the practice of pathology and laboratory medicine worldwide. With more than 18,000 physician members, the CAP has led laboratory accreditation for more than 50 years with more than 7,500 CAP-accredited laboratories in 50 countries. Find more information about the CAP at cap.org. Follow CAP on Twitter at @pathologists.