From Crisis to Action: The Vital Role of Diagnostics in Fighting AMR
SALT LAKE CITY, Oct. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ – bioMérieux, a global leader in in vitro diagnostics, partnered with Henry Ford Health to host a summit from Sept. 30 to Oct. 1 at the Westin Detroit Metropolitan Airport. The event focused on driving actionable solutions to combat the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). As one of bioMérieux’s Antimicrobial Stewardship Centers of Excellence, Henry Ford Health collaborates with key stakeholders to enhance stewardship efforts, improve antibiotic use, and deliver better patient outcomes.
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is rapidly becoming one of the most critical global health threats, with international and national authorities calling for urgent, coordinated, and cross-sectoral action. In the U.S. alone, over 2.8 million antimicrobial-resistant infections occur annually, leading to more than 35,000 deaths — or over 3 million infections and 48,000 deaths when including C. difficile¹. The direct treatment costs for common resistant pathogens exceed $4.6 billion each year², and post-pandemic levels of healthcare-associated resistance remain higher than pre-2019 baselines³. Without urgent intervention, AMR is projected to overtake cancer as the leading cause of death worldwide by 2050⁴.
The two-day summit convened top experts — including infectious disease physicians, pharmacists, microbiologists, public health officials, policymakers, and industry leaders. The event fostered open, cross-disciplinary dialogue and networking, aimed at addressing the complex challenges of AMR. These conversations were designed to inspire ongoing collaboration and real-world action well beyond the Summit. Participants shared the following reflections:
- Jennifer Zinn, Executive Vice President of Clinical Operations, bioMérieux:
“As a global leader in infectious disease diagnostics, our goal is to show—through research and education—that diagnostics are essential in curbing AMR and improving patient outcomes. By partnering with healthcare professionals, public health experts, and policymakers at events like the AMR Summit, we’re transforming evidence into action and accelerating stewardship where it has the most impact.” - Dr. Linoj Samuel, Division Head of Clinical Microbiology, Henry Ford Health:
“Patient safety and well-being are central to our mission at Henry Ford Health. As national leaders in antimicrobial and diagnostic stewardship, we’re proud to share a proven framework that helps health systems implement responsible, evidence-based practices to improve outcomes today and into the future.” - Dr. Jacinda Abdul-Mutakabbir, University of California San Diego, Skaggs School of Pharmacy:
“Marginalized communities often rely on outpatient care, where limited access to diagnostics can lead to missed diagnoses and increased resistance. By integrating diagnostics into stewardship programs, even in outpatient settings, we can improve outcomes and strengthen public health overall.” - Dr. Robert J. Tibbetts, Associate Director of Clinical Microbiology, Henry Ford Health:
“The challenges we face with AMR in veterinary medicine mirror those in human health. With 80% of antibiotics in the U.S. used for animals, effective stewardship demands cross-sector collaboration and unified solutions.” - Dr. Amanda Harrington, Medical Director, Clinical Microbiology Laboratory, Loyola University Medical Center:
“Today, half of all antibiotics are prescribed inappropriately. Diagnostics offer a powerful path forward—but we must act now. The clock is ticking on AMR, and the time for action is now.” - Dr. Geehan Suleyman, Medical Director of Infection Prevention and Control and Antimicrobial Stewardship, Henry Ford Health:
“Diagnostics stewardship focuses on improving test accuracy, reducing unnecessary diagnostics, and optimizing treatment. By using EHR-integrated decision tools, we can lower hospital-acquired infections and reduce antimicrobial use. These interventions are cost-effective, scalable, and sustainable.”
ABOUT BIOMÉRIEUX:
Pioneering Diagnostics
A global leader in in vitro diagnostics since 1963, bioMérieux operates in 45 countries and serves customers in over 160 nations through an extensive distributor network. In 2024, the company reported €4 billion in revenue, with more than 93% generated outside of France.
bioMérieux develops diagnostic solutions—including systems, reagents, software, and services—that help identify the causes of disease and contamination, improving patient outcomes and ensuring consumer safety. While primarily focused on infectious disease diagnostics, its technologies are also used to detect microorganisms in the agri-food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetics industries.
Visit: www.biomerieux.com
