Wondering What Digital Pathology Is?
Digital Pathology Explained
HNL Lab Medicine recently announced our switch to digital pathology. Wondering what digital pathology is all about and what it means for you?
Join the conversation with David West, Chief Executive Officer of our digital pathology partner Proscia, to explore this groundbreaking technology.
Discover how digital pathology enhances diagnostic accuracy and improves patient outcomes. Stay informed about the latest advancements and how they impact your healthcare experience.
Traditional Pathology
Pathologists are doctors who inspect tissues and cells under a microscope to diagnose illnesses. Their test results help other doctors figure out the best way to treat patients. Finding the problem in the samples can be like looking for a needle in a haystack, making it very challenging and time-consuming. Using a microscope for many hours can pose physical challenges for pathologists, too.
They have to look at tiny cells and tissues for a long time, which can be tiring for their eyes. They may experience neck and back pain from bending over the microscope for long periods, and sitting in the same position for many hours can lead to overall discomfort and fatigue.
The switch to digital pathology creates a more comfortable work environment, and digital tools can help quickly highlight areas of interest, which makes it easier and faster to find problems in the samples.
Digital Pathology
Digital pathology can alleviate some of the physical discomfort for pathologists because it allows them to make diagnoses using very high-resolution images, instead of microscopes and glass slides.
According to David West, Chief Executive Officer of Proscia, “Digital pathology represents one of the field’s biggest transformations since the introduction of the light microscope 150 years ago. And its impact on pathologists, patients, and the advancement of precision medicine is profound.”
Dr. Jordan Olson, Chief Medical Officer and Chair of Pathology at HNL Lab Medicine, echoes this sentiment. “Digital Pathology is going to change how every pathologist practices in a dramatic way. It allows pathologists a completely new tool set to use in their daily work.”
How Does Digital Pathology Benefit Patients?
Digital pathology offers many advantages to patients, too, such as making diagnostic care more accessible and efficient. West explains, “Digital pathology enables patients to access high-quality, advanced diagnostics faster.” One of the standout benefits is the ability to receive care from any pathologist, regardless of geography. “Image-based pathology helps patients to get diagnostic care from anywhere,” says West.
He compares it to the convenience of streaming services like Netflix, where you can access content from anywhere in the world. This means that pathologists can share cases for consultations with a click of a button, saving time and money spent on shipping glass slides.
The streamlined workflow can lead to faster results, reducing the stress of waiting and improving patient outcomes. “HNL Lab Medicine moves thousands of slides between the 14 hospitals in the network we serve every day. By moving to digital, this transport time goes away - a pathologist located 75 miles away from our histology laboratory will receive slides immediately after they are scanned, instead of waiting for the next courier. This will speed the time to diagnosis,” adds Dr. Olson.
Moreover, advanced AI-based technology is emerging, offering powerful diagnostic techniques alongside traditional methods. West elaborates, “Each pathology image contains over 1 billion pixels that tell the story of a patient’s disease. New, AI-based tests can unlock insights from this data, quantifying biomarkers to give pathologists a clear, objective picture of a patient’s disease. These insights can help oncologists select advanced therapies, personalizing treatments for patients.”
Why Should Labs Integrate Digital Pathology?
Laboratories are increasingly recognizing the benefits of digital pathology, both for their patients and their internal operations. West highlights two key reasons to go digital: advancing the standard of excellence and improving efficiency. “Going digital elevates pathology into the precision medicine paradigm,” he says.
This transition lays the foundation for laboratories to capitalize on the latest diagnostic innovations, including AI. These innovations equip pathologists with new tools that empower them to play a more significant role in care decision-making. “Most people, pathologists included, go into healthcare because they want to help others, and this is exactly what digital pathology lets them do,” he adds.
Efficiency gains also benefit pathologists and laboratory staff, allowing them to add more value and deliver better services. Faster diagnoses mean patients receive timely care, which can be critical in many medical conditions.
Choose HNL Lab Medicine
Digital pathology is transforming the field of pathology, bringing numerous benefits to patients and laboratories alike. By adopting this technology, labs can improve diagnostic accuracy, streamline workflows, and provide more personalized care, ultimately enhancing patient outcomes.
It is better and more comfortable for pathologists, who will have an improved work environment, too. HNL Lab Medicine is committed to embracing new technologies so that we can provide the highest standard of care.
Our partnership with Proscia underscores this commitment, as we work together to bring the benefits of digital pathology to all patients and act on our dedication to continuous improvement and excellence in healthcare.