Total Laboratory Automation: What Is Gained, What Is Lost, and Who Can Afford It?

Richard B Thomson Jr; Erin McElvania

doi:10.1016/j.cll.2019.05.002

Total Laboratory Automation: What Is Gained, What Is Lost, and Who Can Afford It?

Clin Lab Med. 2019 Sep;39(3):371-389. doi: 10.1016/j.cll.2019.05.002.

Authors

Richard B Thomson Jr¹, Erin McElvania²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, NorthShore University Health System, 2650 Ridge Avenue, Evanston, IL 60201, USA; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60637, USA. Electronic address: RThomson@northshore.org.
² Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, NorthShore University Health System, 2650 Ridge Avenue, Evanston, IL 60201, USA.

PMID: 31383263
DOI: 10.1016/j.cll.2019.05.002

Abstract

The first clinical microbiology laboratory in the United States adopted total automation for bacteriology processing in 2014. Since then, others have followed with installation of either the BD Kiestra TLA or the Copan WASPLab. This article discusses commercially available automated systems in the United States; why automation is needed; and quality improvements, efficiency, and cost savings associated with automation. After learning how these systems are used, gains and losses experienced, and how one can afford the most expensive equipment ever purchased for clinical microbiology laboratories, the question is, how can one afford not to purchase one of these microbiology automation systems?

Keywords: BD Kiestra TLA; Copan WASPLab; Microbiology automation; Microbiology cost savings; Microbiology efficiency; Microbiology quality.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Automation, Laboratory / economics*
Automation, Laboratory / standards*
Bacteria / isolation & purification*
Bacterial Infections / diagnosis
Bacterial Infections / microbiology*
Humans
Reimbursement Mechanisms*