Centralized or decentralized? Choosing a testing workflow for today’s clinical microbiology lab
By the bioMérieux Editors | Reading time: 2 min
PUBLICATION DATE: August 06, 2026
Meeting Today’s Lab Challenges
Bloodstream infection (BSI) diagnostics operate on tight timelines, where delays between a positive blood culture and pathogen identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing (ID/AST) results can directly impact treatment decisions and patient outcomes, especially in cases of sepsis.
This is a challenge that bioMérieux has been dedicated to resolving for over 60 years. As a company founded by microbiologists, we are committed to pioneering innovation designed to decrease the time to actionable result, thereby ensuring that patients get on the right therapy more quickly.
Our comprehensive microbiology portfolio combines automated blood culture, precision ID, and fast AST systems to help labs tighten the gap and keep up with shifting demands and resources.
However, as healthcare systems become more focused on efficiency, clinical labs must choose a testing workflow that allows them to deliver faster, most consistent, and clinically actionable results across the network. Since no two labs are the same, there has become a greater need for configurable, curated solutions.
There are two potential approaches that could accommodate a modern lab: a centralized approach or a decentralized approach. But which is best? The answer, as it turns out, is nuanced.
Decentralized or Centralized Workflow?
In partnership with SelectScience, we asked two microbiology leaders about their take on the matter. Stella Antonara, PhD, D(ABMM) and J. Kristie Johnson, PhD, D(ABMM) spoke to the merits of both approaches, drawing on real‑world experiences that inform the best choice for their specific lab.
Key Takeaways
- There is no one-size-fits-all model; both approaches can work depending on your needs.
- Centralization supports standardization, efficiency, and access to specialized expertise.
- Decentralization can reduce turnaround time by keeping testing closer to the patient.
- Automation, antimicrobial stewardship, and collaboration must support both approaches to succeed.
For a deeper dive into these insights, read the full article here.
You can also watch Dr. Antonara and Dr. Johnson discuss the two blood culture workflows in this on-demand webinar.
