Description: Bloodstream infections can lead to potentially life-threatening conditions, including sepsis. Identifying and treating symptoms associated with bloodstream infections quickly and effectively can significantly impact patient mortality. Blood culture is an important tool for the diagnosis of bloodstream infection and choices made during specimen collection can have a downstream impact on laboratory results. Inadequate collection technique may compromise specimen quality, resulting in contamination or reduced culture sensitivity. This webinar will review the importance of looking at the complete blood culture diagnostic pathway as well as provide a blood culture collection best practice training based on the latest guidelines.

Start date: Upon registration

Completion: Up to 52 weeks

At the end of this webinar you will be able to:

• Recognize the importance of blood cultures for sepsis management
• Identify pre-analytical variables impacting blood culture results
• Improve blood culture collection practice using the most recent guidelines

Speaker: Stéphane Beauchamp, T.M., MSc.

After obtaining his MLT certification, Stéphane received his Bachelor’s in Microbiology and Immunology from the University of Montreal, followed by a Master’s in Applied Microbiology from Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique. Stéphane began his career as an MLT and later took on the role as Quality Manager in the diagnostic laboratory. Stéphane joined BD-Canada in 2015 as a Clinical Specialist for Specimen Management, and became the Clinical Team Lead in 2018. Most recently in 2021 Stéphane has taken on the role as Canadian Medical Affairs manager with the BD Integrated Diagnostic Solutions division. Stéphane is dedicated to educating healthcare professionals to ensure quality laboratory results and improving patient care.

Recorded: March 23, 2024

PEP hours: 1.0

CPS credits: 0

*Note: PEP hours and/or CPS credits will only be awarded upon successful completion of the quiz.