Loading

logo

Journal of Experimental Pathology

ISSN: 2694-5061

Research Article Open Access
Volume 2 | Issue 1 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.33696/pathology.2.012

Impact on Microbiology Laboratory Turnaround Times Following Process Improvements and Total Laboratory Automation

Carolyn Gonzalez-Ortiz1, Alanna Emrick1, Ying P. Tabak2, Latha Vankeepuram2, Stephen Kurt2, David Sellers2, Megan Wimmer2, Caitlin Asjes2, Suhaireirene Suady Barake3, Jacob Nichols3, Fatma Levent3,*
  • 1University Medical Center, Lubbock, TX, USA
  • 2Becton, Dickinson and Company, Franklin Lakes, NJ, USA
  • 3Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA
+ Affiliations - Affiliations

Corresponding Author

Fatma Levent, fatma.levent@ttuhsc.edu

Received Date: December 10, 2020

Accepted Date: January 13, 2021

Citation:

Gonzalez-Ortiz C, Emrick A, Tabak YP, Vankeepuram L, Kurt S, Sellers D, et al. Impact on Microbiology Laboratory Turnaround Times Following Process Improvements and Total Laboratory Automation. J Exp Pathol. 2021;2(1):16-25.


Copyright: © 2021 Gonzalez-Ortiz C, et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

Abstract

Introduction: The impact of workflow changes and total laboratory automation (TLA) on microbiology culture processing time was evaluated in an academic-affiliated regional hospital.

Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis of microbiological data in a research database was performed to compare turnaround time (TAT) for organism identification (ID) before and after implementation of TLA (2013 versus 2016, respectively). TAT was compared using the ?2 test for categorical variables and log-transformed t-test for continuous variables.

Results: A total of 9,351 predefined common and clinically important positive mono-bacterial culture results were included in the analysis. Shorter TAT (hours) in 2016 compared to 2013 (p<0.0001) for positive result pathogen ID were observed in specimen types including blood (51.2 vs. 70.6), urine (40.7 vs. 47.1), wound (39.6 vs. 60.2), respiratory (47.7 vs. 67), and all specimen types combined (43.3 vs. 56.8). Although shorter TATs were not observed from all specimen categories for negative result pathogen ID, TAT for all specimen types combined was shorter (p=0.001) in 2016 compared to 2013 (94 vs. 101).

Conclusions: Total laboratory automation and workflow changes—including process standardization—facilitate shorter organism ID TAT across specimen sources.

Keywords

Laboratory automation, Microbiology, Clinical laboratory, Laboratory workflow, Turnaround time

Recommended Articles

The Nature of Radiation-induced Inherited Recessive Gene Mutations in Drosophila Melanogaster

The nature of gene mutations induced by ionizing radiation in germ cells and transmitted to offspring remains one of the most important problems in radiation genetics of higher eukaryotes. The data accumulated in this field were obtained by different authors under different experimental conditions which does not give a complete insight about the nature of radiation-induced inherited mutations at different genome levels (chromosome, gene, DNA). 

Commentary on: Structural Basis of the Activation of Heterotrimeric Gs-Protein by Isoproterenol-Bound Beta 1- Adrenergic Receptor

G protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) comprise a large superfamily of transmembrane proteins containing more than 800 unique family members. Critically, GPCRs mediate most of the cell responses to extracellular stimuli including hormones, neurotransmitters, light, taste, etc.

Refractory Gastro-oesophageal Reflux Disease and Laryngopharyngeal Reflux - Use the Bottom up Approach

The pathophysiology of typical gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) symptoms and reflux oesophagitis is associated with excess acid reflux, but both refractory GORD and laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) have strong links with functional gut disorders. Oesophageal pH impedance monitoring, our accepted gold standard for diagnosing GORD, has significant shortcomings when assessing proximal oesophageal and in particular pharyngeal reflux. In addition, identifying potential contamination of other parts of the respiratory tract such as lungs or sinuses is not possible. The association between irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and both refractory GORD and LPR suggests a common pathogenesis.

Verrucous Carcinoma of the Esophagus: Its Unique Etiology and Association with Human Papilloma Virus

Verrucous carcinoma is an extremely rare disease, and it is unique in terms of its appearance, growth pattern, and etiology. In 1948, Ackerman first described verrucous squamous cell carcinoma (VSC) as a variant of oral squamous cell carcinoma, and he collected 31 cases of oral neoplasms under the name, “Verrucous Carcinoma of the Oral Cavity.”

Impact on Microbiology Laboratory Turnaround Times Following Process Improvements and Total Laboratory Automation

Total laboratory automation (TLA) involves the integration of pre- and post-analytical processes through incorporation of multiple, modular systems to perform different tests, on diverse matrices, within the clinical microbiology laboratory, and typically consists of automation for plating, incubation,

Full Text
Cite
Download PDF
Author Information X

About Scientific Archives

Scientific Archives is a global publisher initiated with the mission of ensuring equal opportunity for accessing science to research community all over the world. Spreading research findings with great relevance to all channels without any barrier is our goal. We want to overcome the challenges of Open Access with ensured quality and transparency.

Read More