ASM Clinical Microbiology Open: Charting the Future of Diagnostics From NGS to AI
This proceedings paper from the ASM Clinical Microbiology Open meetings in 2018 and 2019 captures discussions among diagnostic laboratory leaders, industry, and federal agencies on transformative trends including next-generation sequencing in clinical diagnostics, rapid antimicrobial susceptibility testing, point-of-care molecular testing, and AI-driven data analysis. The workforce staffing crisis and subsequent COVID-19 pandemic validated many of the challenges identified, making these discussions a prescient roadmap for clinical microbiology's evolution.
The original study
Proceedings of the Clinical Microbiology Open 2018 and 2019 - a Discussion about Emerging Trends, Challenges, and the Future of Clinical Microbiology.
- Authors
- Doern CD, Miller MB, Alby K, Bachman MA, Brecher SM, Casiano-Colon A, et al.
- Journal
- Journal of clinical microbiology
- Type
- Journal Article, Review
- PMID
- 35638361
Original abstract
Clinical Microbiology Open (CMO), a meeting supported by the American Society for Microbiology's Clinical and Public Health Microbiology Committee (CPHMC) and Corporate Council, provides a unique interactive platform for leaders from diagnostic microbiology laboratories, industry, and federal agencies to discuss the current and future state of the clinical microbiology laboratory. The purpose is to leverage the group's diverse views and expertise to address critical challenges, and discuss potential collaborative opportunities for diagnostic microbiology, through the utilization of varied resources. The first and second CMO meetings were held in 2018 and 2019, respectively. Discussions were focused on the diagnostic potential of innovative technologies and laboratory diagnostic stewardship, including expansion of next-generation sequencing into clinical diagnostics, improvement and advancement of molecular diagnostics, emerging diagnostics, including rapid antimicrobial susceptibility and point of care testing (POCT), harnessing big data through artificial intelligence, and staffing in the clinical microbiology laboratory. Shortly after CMO 2019, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic further highlighted the need for the diagnostic microbiology community to work together to utilize and expand on resources to respond to the pandemic. The issues, challenges, and potential collaborative efforts discussed during the past two CMO meetings proved critical in addressing the COVID-19 response by diagnostic laboratories, industry partners, and federal organizations. Planning for a third CMO (CMO 2022) is underway and will transition from a discussion-based meeting to an action-based meeting. The primary focus will be to reflect on the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and better prepare for future pandemics.