Case Reports Microbiology 2022 Exercise 6: Automation in Clinical Microbiology

Author

Erin Graf, PhD

Laboratory Medicine And Pathology

Mayo Clinic Hospital

Phoenix, Arizona

Primary Audience: Pathologists and Clinical Scientists
Secondary Audience: Residents, Laboratory Technologist/Scientist (Includes all sub-specialty areas), Students, Pathologist Assistants,  Laboratory Directors and Educators

Upon completion of this activity, you will be able to:

·       describe the current state of automation in the clinical microbiology laboratory;

·       identify the unique features of clinical microbiology specimens and workup that impact adoption of automation;

·       contrast the quality and efficiency benefits of automation relative to cost;

·       explain advances in machine learning for digital culture plate reading; and

·       discuss semirapid reading of disk diffusion susceptibility testing via automation.