Background Although it has been 30 years since the first automation systems were introduced in the microbiology laboratory, total laboratory automation (TLA) has only recently been recognized as a valuable component of the laboratory. A growing number of publications illustrate the potential impact of automation. TLA can improve standardization, increase laboratory efficiency, increase workplace safety, and reduce long-term costs. Content This review provides a preview of the current state of automation in clinical microbiology and covers the main developments during the last years. We describe the available hardware systems (that range from single function devices to multifunction workstations) and the challenging alterations on workflow and organization of the laboratory that have to be implemented to optimize automation. Summary Despite the many advantages in efficiency, productivity, and timeliness that automation offers, it is not without new and unique challenges. For every advantage that laboratory automation provides, there are similar challenges that a laboratory must face. Change management strategies should be used to lead to a successful implementation. TLA represents, moreover, a substantial initial investment. Nevertheless, if properly approached, there are a number of important benefits that can be achieved through implementation of automation in the clinical microbiology laboratory. Future developments in the field of automation will likely focus on image analysis and artificial intelligence improvements. Patient care, however, should remain the epicenter of all future directions and there will always be a need for clinical microbiology expertise to interpret the complex clinical and laboratory information.

中文翻译：

---

临床微生物实验室的实验室自动化现状

背景 尽管自微生物实验室引入第一个自动化系统已有 30 年，但实验室全自动化 (TLA) 直到最近才被认为是实验室的重要组成部分。越来越多的出版物说明了自动化的潜在影响。TLA 可以提高标准化、提高实验室效率、提高工作场所安全性并降低长期成本。内容 本综述提供了临床微生物学自动化现状的预览，并涵盖了过去几年的主要发展。我们描述了可用的硬件系统（从单功能设备到多功能工作站）以及必须实施以优化自动化的实验室工作流程和组织的具有挑战性的改变。总结 尽管自动化在效率、生产力和及时性方面提供了许多优势，但并非没有新的独特挑战。对于实验室自动化提供的每一项优势，实验室都必须面对类似的挑战。应使用变更管理策略来成功实施。此外，TLA 代表着大量的初始投资。然而，如果处理得当，通过在临床微生物实验室实施自动化可以实现许多重要的好处。自动化领域的未来发展可能会集中在图像分析和人工智能的改进上。然而，病人护理，