scholarly journals Laboratory Automation in Clinical Microbiology

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 102 ◽  
Author(s):  
Irene Burckhardt
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Microbiology ◽  
Laboratory Automation ◽  
Automated Systems ◽  
Laboratory Personnel ◽  
Financial Investment ◽  
Individual Laboratory ◽  
Main Components ◽  
Organizational Challenge

Laboratory automation is currently the main organizational challenge for microbiologists. Automating classic workflows is a strenuous process for the laboratory personnel and a huge and long-lasting financial investment. The investments are rewarded through increases in quality and shortened time to report. However, the benefits for an individual laboratory can only be estimated after the implementation and depending on the classic workflows currently performed. The two main components of automation are hardware and workflow. This review focusses on the workflow aspects of automation and describes some of the main developments during recent years. Additionally, it tries to define some terms which are related to automation and specifies some developments which would further improve automated systems.

scholarly journals Clinical Microbiology Is Growing Up: The Total Laboratory Automation Revolution

2019 ◽  
Vol 65 (5) ◽  
pp. 634-643 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adam L Bailey ◽  
Nathan Ledeboer ◽  
Carey-Ann D Burnham
Keyword(s):  
Laboratory Testing ◽  
Clinical Microbiology ◽  
Turnaround Time ◽  
Automation System ◽  
Clinical Microbiology Laboratory ◽  
Laboratory Automation ◽  
Microbiology Laboratory ◽  
Total Laboratory Automation ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Automated Methods

Abstract BACKGROUND Historically, culture-based microbiology laboratory testing has relied on manual methods, and automated methods (such as those that have revolutionized clinical chemistry and hematology over the past several decades) were largely absent from the clinical microbiology laboratory. However, an increased demand for microbiology testing and standardization of sample-collection devices for microbiology culture, as well as a dwindling supply of microbiology technologists, has driven the adoption of automated methods for culture-based laboratory testing in clinical microbiology. CONTENT We describe systems currently enabling total laboratory automation (TLA) for culture-based microbiology testing. We describe the general components of a microbiology automation system and the various functions of these instruments. We then introduce the 2 most widely used systems currently on the market: Becton Dickinson's Kiestra TLA and Copan's WASPLab. We discuss the impact of TLA on metrics such as turnaround time and recovery of microorganisms, providing a review of the current literature and perspectives from laboratory directors, managers, and technical staff. Finally, we provide an outlook for future advances in TLA for microbiology with a focus on artificial intelligence for automated culture interpretation. SUMMARY TLA is playing an increasingly important role in clinical microbiology. Although challenges remain, TLA has great potential to affect laboratory efficiency, turnaround time, and the overall quality of culture-based microbiology testing.

scholarly journals Benefits Derived from Full Laboratory Automation in Microbiology: A Tale of Four Laboratories

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karissa Culbreath ◽  
Heather Piwonka ◽  
John Korver ◽  
Mir Noorbash
Keyword(s):  
North America ◽  
Multicenter Study ◽  
Clinical Microbiology ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Full Time ◽  
Laboratory Automation ◽  
Productivity Cost ◽  
Cost Avoidance ◽  
Large Multicenter Study ◽  
Full Automation

Automation in clinical microbiology is starting to become more common place and reportedly offers several advantages over the manual laboratory. Most studies have reported on the rapid turn-around-times for culture results including times for identification of pathogens and their respective antimicrobial susceptibilities, but few have studied the benefits from a laboratory efficiency point of view. This is the first large, multicenter study in North America to report on the benefits derived from automation measured in full-time equivalents (FTE), FTE reallocation, productivity, cost per specimen, and cost avoidance. Pre- and post-full automation audits were done at 4 laboratories that have vastly different culture volumes, and results show that regardless of size of the facility, improved efficiencies can be realized after implementation of full laboratory automation.

scholarly journals Machine Learning Takes Laboratory Automation to the Next Level

2020 ◽  
Vol 58 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bradley A. Ford ◽  
Erin McElvania
Keyword(s):  
Machine Learning ◽  
Image Analysis ◽  
Clinical Microbiology ◽  
Clinical Laboratory ◽  
Automated Image Analysis ◽  
Laboratory Automation ◽  
Analysis Software ◽  
Image Analysis Software ◽  
Specimen Type ◽  
Link Type

ABSTRACT Clinical microbiology laboratories face challenges with workload and understaffing that other clinical laboratory sections have addressed with automation. In this issue of the Journal of Clinical Microbiology, M. L. Faron, B. W. Buchan, R. F. Relich, J. Clark, and N. A. Ledeboer (J Clin Microbiol 58:e01683-19, 2020, https://doi.org/10.1128/JCM.01683-19) evaluate the performance of automated image analysis software to screen urine cultures for further workup according to their total number of CFU. Urine cultures are the highest volume specimen type for most laboratories, so this software has the potential for tremendous gains in laboratory efficiency and quality due to the consistency of colony quantification.

scholarly journals Managing laboratory automation

1995 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 83-88
Author(s):  
Thomas J. Saboe
Keyword(s):  
Quality Control ◽  
Life Cycles ◽  
Laboratory System ◽  
Data Systems ◽  
Laboratory Automation ◽  
Automated Systems ◽  
Laboratory Environment ◽  
Big Picture

This paper discusses the process of managing automated systems through their life cycles within the quality-control (QC) laboratory environment. The focus is on the process of directing and managing the evolving automation of a laboratory; system examples are given. The author shows how both task and data systems have evolved, and how they interrelate. A BIG picture, or continuum view, is presented and some of the reasons for success or failure of the various examples cited are explored. Finally, some comments on future automation need are discussed.

scholarly journals Performance of Kiestra Total Laboratory Automation Combined with MS in Clinical Microbiology Practice

2014 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 111-117 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nico T. Mutters ◽  
Caspar J. Hodiamont ◽  
Menno D. de Jong ◽  
Hendri P. J. Overmeijer ◽  
Mandy van den Boogaard ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Microbiology ◽  
Laboratory Automation ◽  
Total Laboratory Automation

scholarly journals Automated systems for identification of microorganisms.

1992 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 302-327 ◽  
Author(s):  
C E Stager ◽  
J R Davis
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Clinical Microbiology ◽  
The United States ◽  
Performance Characteristics ◽  
Automated Systems ◽  
Automated Identification ◽  
The Past ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Automated Instruments ◽  
Automated Identification Systems

Automated instruments for the identification of microorganisms were introduced into clinical microbiology laboratories in the 1970s. During the past two decades, the capabilities and performance characteristics of automated identification systems have steadily progressed and improved. This article explores the development of the various automated identification systems available in the United States and reviews their performance for identification of microorganisms. Observations regarding deficiencies and suggested improvements for these systems are provided.

scholarly journals Performance of Kiestra Total Laboratory Automation Combined with MS in Clinical Microbiology Practice

2014 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 117 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nico T. Mutters ◽  
Caspar J. Hodiamont ◽  
Menno D. de Jong ◽  
Hendri P. J. Overmeijer ◽  
Mandy van den Boogaard ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Microbiology ◽  
Laboratory Automation ◽  
Total Laboratory Automation

scholarly journals Total Laboratory Automation and Three Shifts Reduce Turnaround Time of Cerebrospinal Fluid Culture Results in the Chinese Clinical Microbiology Laboratory

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Weili Zhang ◽  
Siying Wu ◽  
Jin Deng ◽  
Quanfeng Liao ◽  
Ya Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Microbiology ◽  
Laboratory Data ◽  
Turnaround Time ◽  
Klebsiella Pneumonia ◽  
Clinical Microbiology Laboratory ◽  
Laboratory Automation ◽  
Microbiology Laboratory ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Total Laboratory Automation ◽  
The Difference

BackgroundTotal laboratory automation (TLA) has the potential to reduce specimen processing time, optimize workflow, and decrease turnaround time (TAT). The purpose of this research is to investigate whether the TAT of our laboratory has changed since the adoption of TLA, as well as to optimize laboratory workflow, improve laboratory testing efficiency, and provide better services of clinical diagnosis and treatment.Materials and MethodsLaboratory data was extracted from our laboratory information system in two 6-month periods: pre-TLA (July to December 2019) and post-TLA (July to December 2020), respectively.ResultsThe median TAT for positive cultures decreased significantly from pre-TLA to post-TLA (65.93 vs 63.53, P<0.001). For different types of cultures, The TAT of CSF changed the most (86.76 vs 64.30, P=0.007), followed by sputum (64.38 vs 61.41, P<0.001), urine (52.10 vs 49,57, P<0.001), blood (68.49 vs 66.60, P<0.001). For Ascites and Pleural fluid, there was no significant difference (P>0.05). Further analysis found that the incidence of broth growth only for pre-TLA was 12.4% (14/133), while for post-TLA, it was 3.4% (4/119). The difference was statistically significant (P=0.01). The common isolates from CSF samples were Cryptococcus neoformans, coagulase-negative Staphylococcus, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Klebsiella pneumonia.ConclusionUsing TLA and setting up three shifts shortened the TAT of our clinical microbiology laboratory, especially for CSF samples.

Proper Use of the Clinical Microbiology Laboratory

1995 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 62-68
Author(s):  
John C. Christenson ◽  
James C. Overall
Keyword(s):  
Diagnostic Tests ◽  
Clinical Microbiology ◽  
Bacterial Pathogens ◽  
Clinical Microbiology Laboratory ◽  
Mutual Benefit ◽  
Microbiology Laboratory ◽  
Laboratory Personnel ◽  
Laboratory Staff

The interaction between clinicians and microbiology laboratory staff has to be one of mutual benefit. The more the laboratory personnel know about your patients, the more meaningful and thorough will be the results. Communication is the key to success. Visit the microbiology laboratory and get to know the staff. The clinician also needs to be familiar with and use the most commonly used diagnostic tests for individual bacterial pathogens appropriately.

scholarly journals Lab Automation in the Microbiology Lab: An Ongoing Journey, not a Tale?

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefan Zimmermann
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Microbiology ◽  
Clinical Chemistry ◽  
Cost Savings ◽  
Laboratory Automation ◽  
Link Type ◽  
Increased Sensitivity ◽  
Chemistry Laboratories ◽  
Reduced Time

Clinical chemistry laboratories had implemented fully automated devices decades before microbiologists started their subtle approaches to follow. Meanwhile several papers has been published about reduced time-to reports, faster workflows and increased sensitivity as results of lab automation. While the journey of automating microbiology workflows step by step was fascinating and beneficial, monetary aspects were uncommon in most publications. In this issue of the Journal of Clinical Microbiology, K. Culbreath et al. (J Clin Microbiol 59:e01969-20, 2020; https://doi.org/10.1128/JCM.01969-20) calculate the benefits of total lab automation in terms of cost savings and lab efficiency, called a “tale of four laboratories”. The authors here provide facts and solid calculations about the benefits achieved in four different sized labs after implementation of full laboratory automation.

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