The use of digital ‘virtual slides’ in the quality assessment of haematological morphology: results of a pilot exercise involving UK NEQAS(H) participants

Abstract

Summary We report the results of a pilot study assessing the use of digital ‘virtual slides’ in haematological quality assessment. Conducted together with the UK National External Quality Assessment Scheme for General Haematology, the study involved 166 separate participants, using the format of a typical assessment exercise. The results revealed substantial concordance of observations made using digital slides with those reported in previous glass slide surveys that used identical cases. Participant feedback strongly supported the use of electronic slides in teaching and assessment roles. Our results suggest roles for this new electronic resource in external quality assessment (EQA), education and continuing professional development.

Assessing Proficiency of Interpretation of Rapid Human Immunodeficiency Virus Assays in Nonlaboratory Settings: Ensuring Quality of Testing

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The Application of JPEG2000 in Virtual Microscopy

“…When virtual slides are applied in cytopathology or hematology, a higher optical magnification (scanning with oil-40×, oil-60×, or oil-100× lens) is often needed. 8 This multiplies the amount of image data produced when compared to standard scanning. Moreover, when several focus planes (along Z-axis) are digitized, the resulting data amount is further multiplied by the number of planes.…”

The use of CellaVision competency software for external quality assessment and continuing professional development

“…The UK NEQAS (H) digital morphology pilot scheme supported the role of electronic slides in teaching 3. The CCS proficiency testing program contains an easy system for the storage and distribution of cell images that can be utilised for further standardisation and education, especially the images producing frequent disagreements in differential results.…”

“…The Japanese Association of Medical Technologists proficiency survey, which consists of 16 blood cell images in colour photographs, has several limitations, including the small number of presented cells, the poor image quality compared with that of optimal or digital images, and the often discussed ‘correct’ answers submitted by participants that may not reflect their routine work quality. The UK National External Quality Assessment Scheme for General Haematology (NEQAS (H)) recently conducted pilot studies of the utilisation of digital morphology in haematological external quality assessment (EQA) and continuing professional development (CPD) and obtained considerably more reliable results 3 4…”