Nai An Lai

Title : Molecular diagnostics in critically Ill patients with severe pneumonia

Abstract:

Severe pneumonia is one of the most common causes of sepsis and respiratory failure requiring intensive care. Despite advances in diagnostic techniques, antimicrobial therapy, respiratory support and organ support modalities; mortality and morbidity of severe pneumonia remain significantly high. In this session, epidemiology of severe community acquired pneumonia and hospital acquired pneumonia will be discussed. Current challenges in management of severe pneumonia will be highlighted. A broad overview of current and emergency molecular and syndromic testing for severe pneumonia will be provided including a discussion of advantages and limitations of such technique. A summary of current research into molecular diagnostics in severe pneumonia will be provided and future research directions will be explored.

Audience take away: 
? Epidemiology of severe community acquired and hospital acquired pneumonia requiring intensive care
? Current challenges in the management of severe pneumonia in the ICU
? Benefits and limitations of molecular diagnostics in the management of severe pneumonia
? Current and future research directions

Biography:

Dr Lai is the Director of Intensive Care Services at Mater Health and an Associate Professor at Griffith University. He graduated from Monash University Medical School holds the Fellowship of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, College of Intensive Care Medicine of Australia and New Zealand and the Royal Society of Medicine. He attained the European Diploma in Intensive Care Medicine and has a Postgraduate Diploma in Echocardiography and Clinical Ultrasound from the University of Melbourne. Dr Lai is the founder, convener and faculty member of a number of courses and symposia including the Basic Intensive Care Medicine (BICMed) course, A-B-C Critical Skills for ICU, the Australian Short Course in Intensive Care, Basic Assessment and Support in Intensive Care (BASIC), Antimicrobial Masterclass (AIM) for Acute Care Practitioners, Short Course in Critical Infections and the Advanced Diagnostic and Physiological Monitoring in Critical Care (ADP-MoCC) Symposium. Dr Lai is a reviewer for the Respiratory Care journal and an expert consultant on mechanical ventilators for the Therapeutics Goods Administration (TGA) of Australia.