Revised Abstract Background

The implementation of automated bacterial identification (ID) and antimicrobial susceptibility (AST) test systems in routine microbiology lab. provides the clinical benefit of accurate results in an efficient time frame. According to this topic we compared the workflow of the automated VITEK 2 (bioMérieux, Marcy L´Etoile, France) with the Phoenix system (BDDiagnostic System, Md., Sparks, USA) measuring every manipulation step setting up the different devices and the analysis time for AST. Material and Methods A total of 307 clinical isolates was tested, with 144 Gram-positive and 163 Gram-negative strains. The isolates were randomly collected in our routine lab. from various specimens. Time measurement of the different preparation steps was performed and the analysis time of AST results collected. Discrepant ID results were compared to the API systems (bioMérieux). The results of AST were compared to the reference broth microdilution method (Biotest AG, Dreieich, Germany) Results The mean manipulation time for one isolate was 1mn 31s for the VITEK 2 and 2mn 59s for the Phoenix instrument. Concerning AST the average time to result for the VITEK 2 and the Phoenix system for Gram-positive cocci was 8h 53mn and 12h 14mn, respectively. Results for Gram-negative rods were available in an average of 8h 02mn wit