Diagnostics Stewardship in Molecular Microbiology: From at Home testing to NGS, An Issue of the Clinics in Laboratory Medicine
The Clinics: Internal Medicine Series

In this issue of Clinics in Laboratory Medicine, guest editors Drs. Jennifer Dien Bard and Esther Babady bring their considerable expertise to the topic of Diagnostics Stewardship in Molecular Microbiology: From At-Home Testing to Next Generation Sequencing. Molecular testing for infectious diseases diagnostics is quickly expanding beyond clinical microbiology laboratories, while higher complexity tests based on next generation sequencing are now available for infectious diseases diagnosis. Diagnostic stewardship, led by microbiology experts in collaboration with clinicians and other healthcare workers, is critical in ensuring responsible and judicious use of these tests. In this issue, top experts in the field address practical challenges and provide guidance for diagnostic stewardship of molecular infectious disease diagnostics tests, from point-of-care to next generation sequencing.

• Contains 10 relevant, practice-oriented topics including taking center stage: clinical laboratory leading diagnostic stewardship efforts; mapping out when and on whom high-dollar NGS tests should be ordered; working with LIS to maximize ordering and reporting of molecular microbiology results; present and future non-culture-based diagnostics: what are the potentials and considerations as it relates to stewardship and the role of the clinical microbiologist?; and more.
• Provides in-depth clinical reviews on diagnostics stewardship in molecular microbiology, offering actionable insights for clinical practice.
• Presents the latest information on this timely, focused topic under the leadership of experienced editors in the field. Authors synthesize and distill the latest research and practice guidelines to create clinically significant, topic-based reviews.

Taking Center Stage: Clinical Laboratory Leading Diagnostic Stewardship Efforts
Home and Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments-Waived Testing for Infectious Diseases-How Do These Fit in the Testing Landscape?
Point of Care Molecular Testing: Current State and Opportunities for Diagnostic Stewardship
Preanalytical Challenges of Molecular Microbiology Tests
Diagnostic Stewardship for Multiplex Respiratory Testing: What We Know and What Needs to Be Done
Diagnostic Stewardship for Next-Generation Sequencing Assays in Clinical Microbiology: An Appeal for Thoughtful Collaboration
The Report Says What?: How the Medical Microbiologist can aid in the Interpretation of Next-Generation Sequencing Results
Is It Possible to Test for Viral Infectiousness?: The Use Case of (SARS-CoV-2)
Working with the Electronic Health Record and Laboratory Information System to Maximize Ordering and Reporting of Molecular Microbiology Results
Present and Future Non-Culture-Based Diagnostics: Stewardship Potentials and Considerations