Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 19, 2026

Identification of Rare Bacterial Pathogens by 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing and MALDI-TOF MS
Published on: July 11, 2016
Speech recognition and the clinical microbiology laboratory
S P O'Hara1, T N Bryant, E C Oji
1Dept. of Microbiology, Southampton General Hospital, UK.
Abstract:
Keyboard entry of large amounts of diagnostic data is a laborious task. Any transcription errors that occur may pass undetected by 'non-technical staff' employed to input these data. The object of this project was to design a system, based on a Marconi 'Macrospeak' Speech Recogniser, for 'on line' laboratory entry of data generated from the microbiological examination of specimens of urine. Six parameters considered important to the success of the system were assessed: accuracy, speech recognition, reproducibility, speed, user friendliness, and cost effectiveness. The system performed well under the test conditions examined. 'On line' hands free entry of diagnostic data, using speech recognition, may be a practical alternative to more conventional means of data entry.
Related Concept Videos
MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry
Modern Molecular Taxonomy
Key Techniques in Microbiology
Microbiota of the Respiratory Tract
Rapid Identification of Pathogens
Automated Microbial Diagnostics

