Podcast
#60: Speed, stewardship and cardiac care: ADLM 2026 highlights
Duration: 28 Minutes
Aug 26, 2026
The latest episode of QuidelOrtho Science Bytes takes listeners inside the 2026 ADLM Annual Conference, where experts discussed emerging technologies and diagnostic innovations shaping the future of healthcare.
Host Stephanie Kleewein speaks with three industry experts about advances in ultra-fast PCR, procalcitonin-guided antibiotic stewardship and high-sensitivity troponin testing. Together, they explore how faster, more precise diagnostics are helping clinicians make better decisions for patients.
This episode demonstrates how advances across laboratory medicine are helping healthcare providers accelerate diagnosis, optimize treatment and improve patient outcomes.
Disclaimers:
This educational podcast activity is brought to you by QuidelOrtho Corporation., and is not certified for continuing medical education. QuidelOrtho Corporation sponsors the program, and the speaker must present information following applicable FDA requirements.
About our Speaker:
About our Speaker:
Dr. Heather Danks
Chief Technology Officer
LEX Diagnostics
Heather is a biologist and assay developer with a PhD in Genetics and cellular biology from Newcastle University. With 10 years’ experience in the development of IVD devices and technologies for infectious diseases such as Influenza, Malaria and Tuberculosis, Heather has experience from feasibility though to regulatory approval and product launch.
Heather is a biologist and assay developer with a PhD in Genetics and cellular biology from Newcastle University. With 10 years’ experience in the development of IVD devices and technologies for infectious diseases such as Influenza, Malaria and Tuberculosis, Heather has experience from feasibility though to regulatory approval and product launch.
About our Speaker:
Dr. Mike Broyles
Director of Medical Affairs for Biomarkers
Thermo Fisher Scientific
With more than 30 years of experience as a hospital pharmacy and laboratory director, Dr. Broyles is a leading expert on sepsis and the clinical use of drugs with a focus on antimicrobial stewardship. Prior to joining Thermo Fisher Scientific, Dr. Broyles was a consultant for over 25 years working with a large independent hospital network as pharmacy advisor chairman focused on developing and implementing hospital-wide clinical initiatives. Dr. Broyles has worked passionately throughout his career to define effective protocols and decision support processes in patient management and the use of diagnostic technology to help clinicians improve outcomes through better clinical care.
With more than 30 years of experience as a hospital pharmacy and laboratory director, Dr. Broyles is a leading expert on sepsis and the clinical use of drugs with a focus on antimicrobial stewardship. Prior to joining Thermo Fisher Scientific, Dr. Broyles was a consultant for over 25 years working with a large independent hospital network as pharmacy advisor chairman focused on developing and implementing hospital-wide clinical initiatives. Dr. Broyles has worked passionately throughout his career to define effective protocols and decision support processes in patient management and the use of diagnostic technology to help clinicians improve outcomes through better clinical care.
About our Speaker:
Dr. Lindy Carlstrom
Global Medical Affairs Manager
QuidelOrtho
Lindy's clinical experience spans from emergency medicine to critical care and primary care. Currently, she's responsible for providing medical support for the QuidelOrtho acute care menu throughout the product life cycle. Lindy is passionate about clinical education, testing guideline updates and assay utilization to drive improved patient-centered outcomes.
Lindy's clinical experience spans from emergency medicine to critical care and primary care. Currently, she's responsible for providing medical support for the QuidelOrtho acute care menu throughout the product life cycle. Lindy is passionate about clinical education, testing guideline updates and assay utilization to drive improved patient-centered outcomes.
Key Takeaways:
- How ultra-fast RT-PCR technology is reducing time to respiratory test results
- Why simplified molecular workflows are critical for near-patient testing environments
- The role of procalcitonin in guiding antibiotic initiation and discontinuation decisions
- What more than 25 years of antimicrobial stewardship experience reveals about improving patient care
- How high-sensitivity troponin testing supports faster cardiac assessment and emergency department efficiency
- Why diagnostics continue to be essential for delivering timely, actionable clinical insights
