The way forward for fast microbiology.

In microbiology, successful automation means 'fast microbiology'. As Thierry Bernard, bioMérieux's Corporate Vice President of Commercial Operations, put it, 'Bugs mutate very quickly, so we have to innovate continuously to keep up with them … As we are faced with new pathogens, microbiologists must work side-by-side to find solutions.' Fast microbiology is based on a premise of faster results; reducing the time needed for a result, to allow earlier and optimized patient management. Obviously, the critical component for success is the expertise of the microbiologist at every step, validating new solutions, databases, and algorithms. Although the way in which microbiological testing is performed may change, the essence--individualized/expert interpretation of test results and the proposal of targeted treatments by the microbiologist--will remain.