COST Action “EuroTelepath”: digital pathology integration in electronic health record, including primary care centres

Abstract

IntroductionDigital pathology includes the information technology that allows for the management of information, including data and images, generated in an anatomic pathology department.COST Action IC0604The integration of digital slides in the electronic health record is one of the main objectives of COST Action IC0604 “Telepathology Network in Europe” (EURO-TELEPATH). Fostering use of medical informatics standards and adapting them to current needs is needed to manage efficiently extremely large medical images, like digital slide files.Digital slides in PathologyDigital slides can play a role in disease prevention, primary diagnosis, and second opinion. In all these tasks, automated image analysis can also be a most valuable tool.Interoperability in pathology information systemsIn order to achieve an efficient interoperability between pathology information systems with other clinical information systems, obtaining a seamless integration of pathology images (gross pictures and digital slides) with LIS-Pathology Information system in a web environment is an important task. Primary care information systems should also be included in the integration, since primary care centres play an essential role in the generation of clinical information and specimen collection. A common terminology, based in SNOMED CT is also needed.ConclusionsMain barrier in the integration of digital slides in pathology workflow and eHealth record is the cost of current digital slide scanners. Pathology information system vendors should participate in standardization bodies.

Digital Transplantation Pathology: Combining Whole Slide Imaging, Multiplex Staining and Automated Image Analysis

“…Comparison of cost, scan time, image resolution, hardware robustness, slide holder capacity, image focusing and stitching algorithms, z-stack acquisition modes, brightfield versus fluorescence, file compression methods/formats/size, and application capacity are issues to understand and discuss with vendors(11). Systems currently range from $30,000 - $250,000, depending on scanner capabilities and supporting software complexity.…”

“…Aperio’s Spectrum Data Management Software). While rich in functionality the challenge of deep integration into the complex and commercially competitive clinical IT environment usually requires programming expertise or dedicated resources before widespread adoption(4, 11, 26). Large vendors (Omnyx, Philips) use radiology PACS experience as a model (“medical device” concept) forcing system synchronization via interfaces thus enabling an integrated user workflow.…”

Experience with multimodality telepathology at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center

“…Such integration, for example, was one of the main objectives of the COST Action “Telepathology Network in Europe” (EURO-TELEPATH). [16] Efforts towards integrating the LIS with WSI are underway at our institution in partnership with Omnyx. Telepathology requirements are different for developed and developing countries.…”

Recent development and perspectives of virtual slides (VS) and telepathology in Europe

“…VS are provided with their own specific image analyzing system that focuses on evaluation of suitable immunohistochemistry scores such as Her2_neu or hormone receptors in breast cancer. Obligatory VS standards are still missing [ 6 , 7 ].…”