Antibiotic susceptibility testing is a laboratory procedure used to determine how effective specific antibiotics are against bacteria. This testing helps healthcare providers choose the right antibiotic to treat infections, ensuring that the medication will work effectively against the bacteria causing the illness. The process typically involves growing bacteria from a patient sample and exposing them to different antibiotics. By observing which antibiotics inhibit bacterial growth, clinicians can identify the most effective treatment options. This testing is crucial in combating antibiotic resistance, where bacteria evolve to resist the effects of medications, making infections harder to treat.