This figure consists of an infographic from the O’Neill Review on Antimicrobial Resistance (2016). It illustrates how empirical and traditional diagnoses can delay optimal treatment. At the top of the figure the sick patient visits the doctor who performs an empirical diagnosis (purple) or orders a traditional (purple) or rapid diagnostic test (in blue). For an empirical diagnosis optimal treatment may never be achieved and may require a second empirical prescription or diagnostic tests. Traditional diagnostic tests may mean optimal treatment is delayed. Rapid diagnostic tests will mean that optimal treatment is reached quickly. The length of the arrow indicates the amount of time to reach optimal treatment.