Analysis of cost and accuracy of alternative strategies for Enterobacteriaceae identification.

Analysis of the cost of time and material required for the diagnosis of Enterobacteriacea isolates indicated that a conventional 17-tube (20-test) setup costs $7.98 per isolated identified. Using the API 20E, a similar identification cost $3.02. A conventional 7-tube (10-test) setup cost $3.60, whereas the comparable cost by 30% while increasing the number of isolate identified correctly by 3%. Other strategres using the API 20E or a deoxyribounclease test were also evaluated for cost and accuracy.