Educational activities

Back in 2021, we launched the free online webinars dubbed as “P.O.W.E.R.” which stands for “PCQACL Online Webinar Educational seRies”, aimed to adapt to the challenges of the pandemic and support laboratory professionals by providing free continuing medical education and updates. The online platform was integrated into the revamped and improved website, with automatic certificate generation and provision of the CPD points needed by professionals for their license renewal. It was made possible through partnership with diagnostic companies who shared PCQACL’s vision of providing free quality education in the time of pandemic. From four episodes in 2021, the series finished off with seven episodes until the end of the year (POWER 5 to 11) covering timely and relevant topics in laboratory medicine. The 2022 series started in April, successfully garnering more than 1000+ participants each episode (See Image 1) and continued until December 2022 (See Image 2).

Image 1: POWER (PCQACL free Online Webinar seRies) 5 to 8 episodes.

L to R (POWER5- Philippines’ cell morphology day with Sysmex, April 21, 2022; POWER6- Transitioning into the new normal with JARC group, May 31, 2022; POWER7- Taking a leap towards urinalysis standardization and quality improvement with Mindray, June 30, 2022; POWER8- Philiippines in the battle against Tuberculosis with Labmate, August 25, 2022)

All POWER episodes were well-received, moderated by local pathologists and medical technologists. It was also hosted by different personalities from the field of laboratory medicine who made the program smooth and lively.

Image 2: POWER (PCQACL free Online Webinar seRies) 9 to 11 episodes.

L to R (POWER9- Blood Typing: principles, method review and best practices for quality and safety in partnership with Labmate, October 31, 2022; POWER10- Blood Tumor Markers: Clinical Applications and Laboratory Assessment What’s New in partnership with Mindray, November 24, 2022; POWER11- The Novel Biomarkers for HCC Surveilance and Early Detection in partnership with Roche, December 28, 2022. All episodes powered by IT provider, Progressive Productivity Solutions)

PCQACL Academy online Certificate and Training program or P.A.C.T. on the other hand is another online educational tool available in our website that provides a more in-depth training for laboratory professionals. Speakers are experts in the field and enrollees can learn at their own pace and convenience using their devices, with the certificate given to those who will pass the final exam. It is designed to improve competencies, knowledge and skills of laboratory professionals and bridge the gap in trainings during the pandemic and beyond. See Image 2 for the PACT courses.

Image 3: PACT (PCQACL Academy online Certificate and Training program) course offerings.

L to R: Peripheral Blood Smear training: Standardization, Updates and Morphology Review launched last year and Point of Care Testing Certificate program new offering for 2022)

There was also collaboration with diagnostic companies in terms of supporting their scientific activities such as webinars especially in assistance for CPD points for laboratory professionals. Collaborations with Sysmex for 2022 are as follows: Using Expanded CBC Parameters in Clinical Practice: Quick and Relevant Lab Data (March 3, 2022); Routine and regular testing to avert and early detect heart disease (March 11, 2022); North Luzon Sysmex User’s Group meeting 2022 (June 15, 2022); National Capital Region Sysmex User’s Group Meeting 2022 (July 20, 2022); and The Interconnection between the Heart-Kidney-Diabetes and Anemia from Pathophysiology to Management (August 5, 2022).

Image 4: National Capital Region Sysmex User’s Group Meeting 2022 (July 20, 2022) at Hilton Manila

There were also collaborations/ participation in continuing medical education with other diagnostic partners/ members and organizations as follows: Grepcore on Cytology Morphology Training September 6, 2022 at Marco Polo Hotel; Participation in UST OMTI webinar ARCADIA March 16, 2022 online; Panel discussion on the Evolving Trends in Laboratory Medicine, Laboratory Leaders’ Summit ,November 23, 2022 (Phuket, Thailand); “1st Hematology Workshop” December 1, 2022 Marriott Hotel, Pasay City in partnership with Mindray and Philippine Society for Hematology and Blood Transfusion (PSHBT).

Image 5: L- Collaboration with Grepcore on Cytology Morphology Training September 6, 2022 at Marco Polo Hotel ; R- Participation in UST OMTI webinar ARCADIA March 16, 2022 online

Image 6: Top- Panel discussion on the Evolving Trends in Laboratory Medicine, November 23, 2022 (Phuket, Thailand) ; Bottom- Dr. Datay-Lim together with other Philippine delegates (L-R: Dr. Raymundo Lo, Dr. Steph Abello, Ms. Leilani Soriano) and Ortho Clinical diagnostics team at the Laboratory Leaders’ Summit; Group photo of all delegates from different countries.

Image 7: 1st Hematology Workshop” December 1, 2022 Marriott Hotel, Pasay City in partnership with Mindray and Philippine Society for Hematology and Blood Transfusion (PSHBT)

Website, social media site and youtube channel improvements

The Information Communication and Technology Systems (ICTS) Committee in partnership with Progressive Productivity Solutions (PPS) improved the look, functionality and information on the PCQACL website: www.pcqacl.org. Aside from consolidation and hosting of the online educational programs and membership management, the new section of the website features PCQACL Bulletin which aims to give not just updates about the organization activities but also features laboratory medicine news and important developments or announcements. Contributions come from members and everything is also synchronized with our social media account. See Figure 3 for PCQACL Bulletin. The youtube channel of the organization “PCQACL Channel” has also been revamped, with more uploaded videos featuring: Organization video and invitation to various activities such as annual convention, courses and seminars. Social medial channels such as the facebook page and accounts served as medium for announcements. There was noted increased engagement through regular postings and upload of vibrant informative content.

Image 8. PCQACL Bulletin featuring updates on organization activities, news and announcements in the field of laboratory medicine.

Image 9. Top: PCQACL’s youtube channel featuring more videos including the organization video; Bottom: Facebook page

Meetings

Monthly board meetings continued this year starting January 2022, mostly virtually done due to the unpredictable COVID-19 situation and other threats of emerging infectious diseases here in the Philippines. Among the projects developed aside from POWER, PACT and the annual convention are the following: launching of Research project PCQACL P.A.S.S.I.O.N. “Philippine laboratory Advancements through Survey and reSearch for Improvement and innovatiONs“ (first project is about Philippines’ laboratory quality indicators), update of CBC standardization monograph (2nd edition) in collaboration with hematologists through their society, Philippine Society of Hematology and Blood Transfusion (PSHBT) and planning for urinalysis standardization monograph. Last June 18, 2022, with the significant drop in the number of cases and lifting of restrictions, we had our first face to face board meeting for the annual convention organizational meeting and photoshoot at Sofitel, Manila.

Image 10: PCQACL’s first face to face board meeting and photoshoot for annual convention held at Sofitel, Manila.

Image 11: Photos of the 2022 monthly board meetings

Promoting Laboratory Quality

PCQACL supported this year’s Med Expo 2022 at SMX Convention Center in Pasay City, MOA from August 24-26, 2022. It was a well-attended event with different exhibitors from the field of diagnostics, medical supplies and more. Aside from PCQACL, it was supported by Biomed Society of the Philippines, Phil-Chi Medical Technology Exchange Association, State of Israel Ministry of Economy and Industry, United Clinical Laboratories Association Phils, Economic and Commercial Mission of Israel in the Philippines. We were able to promote laboratory quality during the event, give participants idea about us and what activities we offer. It was an opportunity to interact with the participants and other exhibitors and highlight the importance of education, training and research in the field of laboratory medicine.

Image 12: Photos from the Medical Expo 2022 event

Image 13: Promotional materials prepared by PCQACL

PASSION research project ongoing

PCQACL P.A.S.S.I.O.N. stands for: Philippine laboratory Advancements through Survey and reSearch for Improvement and innovatiONs. This year’s research is entitled: “Evaluation on the use of quality indicators among clinical laboratories in the Philippines: a PCQACL PASSION study for quality improvement”

General Objective: Evaluate clinical pathology quality indicators use and practices in Philippine laboratories.

Objectives:

1. Know how many laboratories monitor or use quality indicators in practice.
2. Determine what are the quality indicators measured or monitored.
3. Establish benchmark for quality indicators among Philippine laboratories.

Image 14: Dr. Gio Ernest Dela Cruz, principal investigator for PCQACL PASSION research for 2022 explained the paper during the pre-convention.Co- authors include members of CETR.

The questionnaire was flashed during the different activities of PCQACL, with active participation noted from the members. The data gathered shall be analyzed and published.

Strengthening partnerships for continuing medical education

Many of the educational activities done by PCQACL were offered free for all members and non-members. This was made possible through support from diagnostic partners who share our vision for laboratory quality. Throughout the year, there were a lot of meetings and discussions with fruitful output enjoyed by everyone in the form of webinars, conventions and other activities.

Image 15: MOA signing for continuing medical education with Mr. Toby Xu of Mindray April 1, 2022 at ShangriLa The Fort.

Image 16: Biosite Medical Instruments was the first diagnostic company to partner with PCQACL’s POWER series. Thanksgiving dinner with BMI at Grand Hyatt Hotel, October 1, 2022

Collaborations for Monograph on Standardization

In the pipeline are the following: Urinalysis Monograph and update on the CBC Monograph in collaboration with Philippine Society for Hematology and Blood Transfusion (PSHBT).

Image 17: Meetings of the CETR for urinalysis monograph

International relations

Image 18: Support to IFCC #GlobalMedLabWeek

PCQACL continued to actively participate in the activities of the IFCC (International Federation for Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine), APFCB (Asia Pacific Federation for Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine), ANCLS (Asian Network for Clinical Laboratory Standardization and Harmonization) to name some.

Image 19: IFCC Task force for Young Scientists. Dr. Sarah Jane Datay-Lim was included as one of its corresponding members.

The Committee on External Relations, headed by Dr. Elizabeth Y. Arcellana-Nuqui spearheaded the good relationship and communication with these international organizations. We have invited international speakers in some of our activities, including IFCC speakers in the Annual Convention.

Relationship with other local organizations

We have maintained our good relationship not just with international organizations but of course local organizations as well especially our charter members. Last September 21, 2022, PCQACL together with the Philippine Society for Histotechnologists (PSH) organized a Round table discussion in partnership with The Medical City. We welcomed a visitor from the US, Ms Evelyn Diaz who visited through the scholarship from the National Society for Histotechnology, USA. We talked about how we can help improve the quality of Histotechnology in the Philippines and the different challenges we are facing. We also explored venues for learning such as the TMC- Center for Advanced Skills Simulation and Training Innovations and shared best practices. We will support PSH in this endeavor together with other stakeholders.

Image 20: Round Table Discussion in collaboration with Philippine Society for Histotechnologists at 4th floor TMC Boardroom with live broadcast via zoom. ( Special thanks to: Dr Elizabeth Arcellana-Nuqui (TMC Chair), Dr Elizabeth Alcazaren (Consultant Director for Anatomic Pathology, TMC), Ms Lanie Soriano (TMC Lab Manager) and Ms Lou Gatbondon (TMC consultant manager), TMC Residents and staff for accomodating our group.

We were deeply honored to have some of our board of trustees in the list of the Philippine Association for Medical Technologists (PAMET) awardees: “50 movers at 50” during the 50th Medtech week. It was a celebration of the triumphs of PAMET and it also strengthened and inspired us to continue our commitment to support our laboratory professionals particularly medical technologists in their growth and development through education.

Image 21 : PCQACL officers (Dr. Sarah Jane L. Datay-Lim, Dr. Anacleta Valdez, Mr. Gerrick Dolor, Ms. Josefina Soriano and Ms. Joanna Carpio) were included in the awardees for PAMET’s 50 movers at 50 during their 50th Medtech week celebration at Crowne Plaza Hotel

Annual Convention

For 2022, we had a hybrid pre-convention (face to face and virtual) and a full virtual Annual Convention from September 7-10, 2022 with the theme: “Redefining Global Challenges into Quality Laboratory Standards”. The pre-convention centered on two relevant topics: Point of care testing and Hematology with the experts invited to lecture. The main convention featured interactive sessions inserted in a full-packed and learning-filled scientific program covering various topics in laboratory medicine. The much awaited Best Practices Contest and Fellowship night were also included. The closing ceremonies was made special by the presence of the guest of honor, Dr. Maria Minerva P. Calimag, president of the Philippine Medical Association (PMA).

Image 22: First announcement PCQACL Annual Convention.

Image 23: Hybrid pre-convention at Crowne Plaza Hotel. Photos of the entire event can be accessed in our official Facebook page. Video highlights is uploaded in PCQACL Youtube channel and in the Facebook page as well.

Image 24: Pictures of behind the scenes during the Annual Convention broadcast

Image 25: Convention Bulletin by the Committee on Publications and Public Relations. These can be accessed in the PCQACL website under 19th Annual Convention tab

It has been a busy year and everything would not have been possible without the help and support from everyone. The pandemic posed one of the biggest challenges during this time but we were very much inspired to serve. We thank you all for your love and support. As we continue with the next batch of officers, let us keep the fire burning for laboratory quality through education, research and training.