Wednesday, September 23 | 15:00 BST | 16:00 CEST | 10:00 EDT | 07:00 PDT


Malaria remains a significant global health challenge, and accurate laboratory diagnosis is essential for timely treatment and optimal patient outcomes. While a range of diagnostic approaches are available, variability in testing practices can lead to inconsistencies in parasite detection, species identification, quantification, and reporting. The International Council for Standardization in Haematology (ICSH) has developed comprehensive guidelines to support a standardized, evidence-based approach to malaria diagnosis within hematology laboratories.

In this webinar, expert speakers will provide a practical overview of the ICSH Malaria Guidelines and their implementation in routine laboratory workflows. Attendees will explore the role of traditional microscopy alongside complementary technologies, including rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs), PCR, modern blood cell counters, and digital morphology solutions. The session will highlight best practices for malaria detection, morphological assessment, speciation, quantification, and reporting, while addressing common diagnostic challenges and sources of variability.

Participants will also gain insight into the importance of quality assurance, training, and competency assessment in maintaining high standards of malaria diagnostics. Through real-world examples and expert guidance, attendees will learn how adopting ICSH recommendations can improve consistency, strengthen diagnostic confidence, and support better clinical decision-making and patient care.

Key learning objectives

  • Apply ICSH guideline recommendations for malaria diagnosis, including parasite detection, species identification, quantification, and standardized reporting, while incorporating complementary diagnostic technologies such as RDTs, PCR, blood cell counters, and digital morphology.
  • Identify common sources of diagnostic variability and error in malaria testing and implement practical strategies to improve consistency, accuracy, and harmonization across laboratory workflows.
  • Understand how integrated diagnostic approaches and adherence to ICSH guidelines can enhance laboratory efficiency, support clinical decision-making, and contribute to improved patient outcomes.

Accreditation statement

SelectScience® is approved as a provider of continuing education programs in the clinical laboratory sciences by the ASCLS P.A.C.E.® Program.

Webinar details

  • Cost: Free to attend
  • Location: Online
  • Duration: 60 minutes
  • Instruction level: Intermediate
  • Accreditation: P.A.C.E.® eligible
Registration is required to secure your place. If you register but can't attend live, you will receive a link to the on-demand recording once it becomes available.

Who should attend?

This event is perfect for:

  • Hematology laboratory directors and managers
  • Medical laboratory scientists and technicians
  • Clinical hematologists and pathologists
  • Infectious disease specialists
  • Laboratory quality and training leads

What will this webinar cover?

  • An overview of the ICSH Malaria Guidelines and their objectives
  • Best practices for parasite detection and malaria diagnosis
  • Species identification and parasite quantification recommendations
  • Standardized approaches to malaria reporting
  • The role of microscopy in modern malaria diagnostics
  • Integrating rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs), PCR, blood cell analyzers, and digital morphology into diagnostic workflows
  • Common diagnostic pitfalls and sources of variability
  • Quality assurance, training, and competency considerations
  • Practical implementation of ICSH recommendations in routine laboratory settings
  • Case studies and real-world examples supporting standardized malaria diagnosis
  • The impact of guideline adherence on patient care and clinical outcomes

Presenters

Thérèsa L Coetzer
Thérèsa L Coetzer

PhD, Research Professor, Faculty of Health Sciences

University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa

Thérèsa L Coetzer, PhD, graduated from the University of the Witwatersrand and has worked as a research scientist in Austria, Germany, USA, and South Africa.  She initially focused on inherited haemolytic anaemias and subsequently conducted research on the biology of the malaria parasite, including the automated diagnosis of malaria.

Richard McCafferty
Richard McCafferty

Chief Medical Scientist-Hematology Department

St James's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland

Richard McCafferty is Chief Medical Scientist in Haematology at St James's Hospital, Dublin. He serves as Chair of the ICSH Working Group on malaria, and has extensive expertise in hematology diagnostics, with a focus on standardization, morphology, and improving laboratory practices for accurate malaria diagnosis.

Michelle Grant, DO
Michelle Grant, DO

Assistant Professor, Associate Pathologist,

Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine

Dr. Michelle Grant is an Assistant Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine. She is co-chair of the ICSH Malaria Working Group and specializes in hematopathology and transfusion medicine with a focus laboratory automation, education, and improving diagnostic accuracy through standardized approaches.

Lucy Lawrence
Lucy Lawrence

Science Editor

SelectScience

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