The presentation by Dr Michael Findlay will run through the basics of what happens in the laboratory and how it can apply to clinical practice. It will provide an overview of how patient specimens are processed in a microbiology laboratory and methods for identification and susceptibility testing of bacteria in the laboratory, as well as a discussion of the relationship between laboratory susceptibility testing and patient management, particularly with respect to therapeutic drug monitoring.  

Learning Objectives:

  • Describe the basic principles of how patient specimens are processed in a microbiology laboratory
  • Discuss methods for identification and susceptibility testing of bacteria in the laboratory, including what is meant by the term minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC)
  • Describe the relationship between laboratory susceptibility testing and patient management, particularly with respect to therapeutic drug monitoring