Poster Presentation Information:
2010 Details on Poster Sessions & Awards/Trophy Program

Lab Quality Confab Theme:
This conference is devoted to the use of Lean, Six Sigma, and similar process improvement systems and methods in diagnostic medicine. Presentations and case studies will be made by hospitals, clinical laboratories, anatomic pathology group practices, in vitro diagnostic (IVD) manufacturers, and quality management consultants.

Poster Presentations:
Poster sessions are typically a report of research or an innovative approach. Poster Session presenters place materials such as pictures, data, graphs, diagrams and narrative text on a tack board display stand which we supply. Presenters are welcome to provide handouts, at their own expense, to supplement the poster.

Assembling and Removing the Poster:
The poster can be assembled in the poster session room on Wed, the first day, starting at 6:30 a.m. and early enough in the morning to be ready for display at the first Poster Session, which starts at 8:00 a.m. that same morning. The poster can be removed on Thursday after 1:30 p.m. Any poster not removed by 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, the last day of the event, will be discarded. Poster Presentation Schedule: The poster session room will be open to meeting attendees during all session hours. The Poster Presenter is required to be present during the two public poster sessions, scheduled for 8:00 a.m. to 8:50 a.m. on both Wednesday and Thursday mornings. An appointment to judge the poster presentation will be determined.

A panel of judges will evaluate each Poster Presentation during Wedness and Thursday morning prior to 10 a.m. First, second and third place winners in each of the two categories will be announced and will receive trophies and cash awards at the end of the general session on Thursday at 12:00 p.m. We will accept Lean-Six Sigma Poster Session applications until we reach capacity, so the sooner you apply, the better. Poster Presenters are responsible for their own registration fee (with a 25% discount from the normal registration price for one presenter), housing and expenses connected with attending the meeting. You may register online at www.labqualityconfab.com.

Guidelines for Lean/Six Sigma Poster Presentations
(What to include on your poster)

Title:

Author’s Name and Affiliations:

Key words:

Abstract: A brief summary about the goals of this improvement project; what methods and resources were used, and the results of the project, with a concluding remark (limited to 100 words)

Introduction: This will outline the purpose of the project, a brief statement of the problem or opportunity, and all relevant background information (historical perspective etc.) of the topic

Material and methods: This section should include the inputs that were used during the improvement project

Results:

Conclusion: Please include relevant outcomes, including clinical improvements, operational improvements, and better utilization of labor, capital, and similar resources.

Bibliography: (Cite the references in the following format)

Articles: English CE. Biomechanical concerns with fixed partial dentures involving implants. Implant Dent 1993; 2:221-242.

Books: Roberts WE, Hohlt WF, Arbuckle GR. The supporting structures and dental adaptation. In: McNeill C, editor. Science and Practice of Occlusion. Chicago IL: Quintessence Publishing Co, Inc; 1997.p 79-94.

Specifications for Poster Presentation
Content:
1. Include the title, author names, and the institution where the work was completed together in large letters (Font: 84 pt, Times, Helvetica, or Prestige Elite) centered at the top of the poster.

2. Place your address, phone, and fax numbers, or other contact information in the upper right hand corner in case people would like copies of your paper.

3. Place a reproduction of the abstract in the upper left side of the poster. For the rest of the layout, use style headings appropriate to your poster, i.e. “Introduction”, “Methods”, “Results”, and “Conclusions”.

4. All handouts, data, conclusions, illustrations, charts, etc. to be posted should be prepared in advance as materials for these purposes will not be available at the meeting site. We will provide painters tape, push pins, marking pens, etc.

5. Provide sign-up sheets for attendees who wish additional information, reprints, etc.

6. Bring 50 copies of a 1 page summary of your paper and make sure to include the following information:

Title
Authors
Contact Information in case people would like to get more information
Summary of paper

Poster Size:
Foam Board:
One option for displaying your poster is using foam core board. A 40"x 60" white foam core board, 3/16" thick is available at many locations.

Powerpoint Printout by Kinkos:
Another option for preparing your poster is laying out the design for your poster on a single slide using PowerPoint software.

Make sure your poster is professional looking.

Email us for more info at this time.

Tips for Poster Preparation

Content:
1. Keep text to a minimum, emphasize graphics, and make sure every item in your poster is necessary. You want your poster to stimulate discussion.

2. Utilize handouts to supplement your poster.

3. Posters are typically viewed at a distance of 4-6 feet. Materials must be easily read at this distance. Ordinary type or carelessly prepared handwritten copy is unacceptable.

4. Place related materials (e.g.: photo with accompanying text) close together.

5. The title should be in very large type, 84 pt or larger. Your name and organization should also be noted in large type, consider 72 pt. Headings and sub-headings should be at least 36 pt.

6. Text on panels should be between 18 and 24 pt to be legible.

7. Keep each panel relatively short and to the point. More than 25 lines won’t get read, but 15-18 usually will. Framing the text by putting a box around it will emphasize important sections.

8. Make sure your presentation flows in a logical sequence. (Introduction, Body, and Conclusion). Remember that readers will naturally read from top to bottom, from left to right.

Aesthetic:
1. Draw a rough sketch of your poster first to plan the layout.

2. Space your information proportionally; divide your poster either into three or four columns, and place your materials within those spaces. Keep the overall look of your poster balanced.

3. When choosing a background, remember that neutral or gray colors will be easier on the eyes than a bright color. In addition, color photos look best when mounted on gray. Use light colors and contrast with dark text.

4. Choose a simple font, such as Times, Helvetica, or Prestige Elite and stick with it. Do not use more than two fonts. Avoid overuse of outlining and shadowing, it can be distracting. To make something stand out, use a larger font size, bold, or underline instead.

For useful tips on how to design a poster and how to make an effective poster presentation, we recommend the following resources:

Tips for Paper/Poster Presentations by Psi Chi: The National Honor Society in Psychology http://www.psichi.org/conventions/tips.asp

Poster Presentation of Research Works by Dept. of Chemical and Process Engineering, University of Newcastle upon Tyne
http://lorien.ncl.ac.uk/ming/Dept/Tips/present/posters.htm

Communicating Your Research and Results Through a Poster Presentation at Visible Thinking by Visible Thinking http://www.aas.duke.edu/trinity/research/vt/postertips.html

For any questions regarding the conference and the poster sessions, contact:
Justin Clark
THE DARK REPORT
Ph: 512-264-7103
Email:jclark@darkreport.com

 

Email us for more info at this time.