Back to the Future: Combining Traditional Microbiology Techniques and Artificial Intelligence Algorithms

Presenter:

• Erin McElvania, PhD, D(ABMM) Director of Clinical Microbiology, Endeavor Health, Evanston Hospital
  Clinical Associate Professor of Pathology, University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine
  Director, Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases Research Lab

Description of Session:

In this session, we will demonstrate how artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms can be applied to the traditional clinical microbiology techniques of Gram staining, ova and parasite examination, and bacterial culture plate reading. Use of AI algorithms can remove much of the manual work associated with traditional clinical microbiology techniques and allow technologists to spend their time on interpretation of stains and cultures rather than slide scanning or reading “no growth” agar plates. How does the sensitivity, specificity, and quality of manually performed stain and agar plate reading compare to use of AI algorithms? Speakers will discuss the benefits afforded by AI algorithms, changes to workflow and laboratory culture, as well as any pitfalls laboratorians should be aware when considering AI algorithms for traditional microbiology techniques.

A certificate of participation will be granted to each participant based on 1.0 contact hours of instruction toward credit.

This program is sponsored by the WSLH, which is an approved provider of continuing education programs in the clinical laboratory sciences by the ASCLS P.A.C.E. program.

As part of the new P.A.C.E. continuing education process, please go to the ASCLS CE Organizer web site to print your P.A.C.E. certificates. You will search for the Wisconsin State Lab of Hygiene programs under the “Other P.A.C.E. Programs” tab on the ASCLS CE Organizer web site. You will be asked for a code number to print the certificate. We will provide you this number during the webinar.

Please note that the deadline for receiving P.A.C.E. education credit for this webinar is November 19th, 2026.

Materials:

• WCLN Webinar – Back to the Future: Combining Traditional Microbiology Techniques and Artificial Intelligence Algorithms