Purpose Statement

The purpose of this activity is to educate participants on the need and techniques for a viral load testing. The occurrence and significance of blips and their implications for patient monitoring and clinical care will be addressed. Cardinal knowledge achieved will help determine appropriate course action in individualized patient disease management.

Target Audience

Infectious disease specialists, virologists, HIV specialists, clinical laboratory professionals (directors and medical technologists) and other healthcare professionals interested in the management of HIV.

Learning Objectives

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

1.     Define current monitoring standards/techniques for HIV viral testing.

2.     Recognize the possible costs associated with the increased reports of detectable viral load ‘blips’ in previously well controlled individuals.

3.     Describe the ancillary ramifications for newly “detectable” patients as it relates to laboratories, staff, patients and third-party payers.

Faculty

James Henry Willig, MD
Assistant Professor
Division of Infectious Diseases
University of Alabama at Birmingham
1900 University Blvd, THT 229
Birmingham, AL

Educational Activity Agenda

- 01 minutes: Welcome & Introduction
- 45 minutes: Faculty Presentations
- 14 minutes: Conclusion, Evaluation, Post-Test, Certificate Generation

CME Release and Expiration Dates

Enduring Archive CME Release Date: January 26, 2011
Enduring Archive CME Expiration Date: January 26, 2012

Disclosure of Conflicts of Interest

Global Education Group requires instructors, planners, managers and other individuals and their spouse/life partner who are in a position to control the content of this activity 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 by Global 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

Planners and Managers

Physician Accreditation Statement - CME

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 Global Education Group (Global) and Dane Garvin Ltd.  Global is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Physician Credit Designation - CME

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

Nursing Continuing Education

This educational activity for 1.0 contact hour is provided by Global Education Group. Global is an approved provider of continuing nursing education by the Colorado Nurses Association, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.

Global Education Group

For information about the physician and nursing accreditation of this activity, please contact Global Education Group at (303) 395-1782, or inquire@globaleducationgroup.com.

How to Obtain CME / CE Credit

ACCREDITATION FOR THIS ACTIVITY HAS EXPIRED

Attendees are expected to view all presentations before attempting to take the test and/or complete the activity evaluation. Successful completion will lead to the issuance of a certificate for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit ™ or nursing credit. To receive credit, the course must be completed between January 26, 2011 and January 26, 2012.

Participation in this activity should be completed in approximately 1.0 hour. Please follow these steps in order to receive CME/CE 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 75% and answer all evaluation questions to receive a certificate.

After successfully completing the online test and/or evaluation, your application will be immediately processed and you will be given the opportunity to download a personalized CME certificate for participation in this activity. 

Should you have any CME questions regarding this activity, please contact:

Global Education Group
5575 S. Sycamore Street, Suite 200
Littleton, CO 80120
Phone: 303-395-1782
Fax: 303-648-5311
Email: inquire@globaleducationgroup.com
Web: www.globaleducationgroup.com

Lab Professional Credit Designation - 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.

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 between January 26, 2011 and January 26, 2013.

Participation in this activity should be completed in approximately 1.0 hours. 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% and answer all evaluation questions to receive a certificate.
• After successful completion of this process, you will be redirected to the ASCLS CE Organizer where you may create and print an official ASCLS P.A.C.E.^® certificate based on your attendance and completion of this ASCLS-sponsored P.A.C.E.^® approved learning activity.

Should you have any P.A.C.E.^® questions regarding this activity, please contact:

ASCLS P.A.C.E.^®
2025 M Street NW, Suite 800
Washington DC 20036
Ph: 202-367-1174
Fx: 202-367-2174
http://www.ascls.org/

PACE Release and Expiration Dates

Enduring Archive PACE Release Date: January 26, 2011
Enduring Archive PACE Expiration Date: January 26, 2013

Fee Information

There is no fee for this educational activity.

Disclosure of Unlabeled Use

This educational activity may contain discussion of published and/or investigational uses of agents that are not indicated by the FDA. Global Education Group (Global) and Dane Garvin Ltd. do not recommend the use of any agent outside of the labeled indications.

The opinions expressed in the educational activity are those of the faculty and do not necessarily represent the views of any organization associated with this activity. Please refer to the official prescribing information for each product for discussion of approved indications, contraindications, and warnings.

Disclaimer

Participants have an implied responsibility to use the newly acquired information to enhance patient outcomes and their own professional development. The information presented in this activity is not meant to serve as a guideline for patient management. Any procedures, medications, or other courses of diagnosis or treatment discussed in this activity should not be used by clinicians without evaluation of patient conditions and possible contraindications on dangers in use, review of any applicable manufacturer’s product information, and comparison with recommendations of other authorities.

Policy on Privacy and Confidentiality

Global Education Group protects the privacy of personal and other information regarding participants, educational partners, and joint sponsors. Global Education Group and our joint sponsors will not release personally identifiable information to a third party without the individual's consent, except such information as is required for reporting purposes to the appropriate accrediting agency.

Global Education Group and Dane Garvin, Ltd. maintain physical, electronic and procedural safeguards that comply with federal regulations to guard your nonpublic personal information.

Medium Used

This program has been made available online.

“HIV Viral Load Blips and Cost Ramifications”

System Requirements

To view the this educational activity you will need a web broswer with Javascript and either Flash or HTML5 enabled.  Nearly all modern web browsers will work.

Cosponsor

    This activity is co-sponsored by the Association for Molecular Pathology.

Commercial Support Statement

    This activity is supported by an educational grant from Abbott Molecular.

Copyright

Copyright © January 26, 2011.   Dane Garvin, Ltd. All Rights Reserved.   Permission for accreditation use granted to Global Education Group (GEG) and American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science (ASCLS).