title: The future of diagnostic bacteriology.
abstract: Diagnostic bacteriology has changed little over the past 50 years. Those changes that have occurred have been gradual but not fundamental. KIESTRA Lab Automation is a company specializing in total laboratory automation (TLA). Their methodology incorporates plate labelling and delivery, inoculation and spreading, incubation and digital image analysis. This has led to a paradigm shift in processing since decisions are made from images on a computer screen rather than examination of the actual plates. The result is the development of a skill mix based on the requirements of the service. This allows for the development of a lean and highly efficient laboratory.
authors.affiliation: Clarendon Lodge, New Road, Mockbeggar, Ringwood, Hampshire, BH24, 3NJ, UK. stuartandpeta@btinternet.com
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Matthews
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Deutekom
mesh_terms: D057205:Automation, Laboratory / Q000191:economics* / Q000295:instrumentation*; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*; D019411:Clinical Laboratory Techniques / Q000191:economics / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted