Automation in Microbiology – quality and clinical impact
Dr Maryza Graham
Clinical Microbiologist & Infectious Diseases Physician
Monash Health, VIC Australia
Microbiology has been one of the last Pathology disciplines to benefit from laboratory automation. In the last few years, several companies have introduced instruments that can automate microbiology sample inoculation, streaking, incubation and can facilitate plate reading via digital images. There are currently few published studies on the performance of the various instruments and the potential impact that total laboratory automation (TLA) may have on microbiologic and clinical outcomes.
In this talk, Dr Graham will summarise the proposed theoretical benefits of automation in the Clinical Microbiology laboratory, the available published research and the experience after installation of BD KiestraTM TLA at Monash Pathology.