A 12 month pilot designed to establish ease-of-adoption for a fully integrated and digitised national pathology service, across Scottish NHS providers has been announced by health technology specialist, Philips.
Across three pilot sites – the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow; and the Royal Infirmary and Western General Hospitals, Edinburgh – Philips IntelliSite Digital Pathology Solution systems will be used to explore the potential benefits of ultra-fast sample scanners for quicker results, historically verified sample results for reduced variability of interpretation, and improved access to sample images across Scotland through remote access.
“Pathology is an area of rapid innovation and an increasingly vital corner stone of modern diagnostic practice,” comments Dr Gareth Bryson, Head of Service for Pathology, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital Glasgow and clinical lead. “Traditional histopathology exposed samples to numerous handlers which is inefficient,” Gareth continues, “and increases the scope for human error. An integrated digital pathology workflow reduces these risks while providing the pathologist with the necessary image and clinical information to generate the most accurate and complete clinical diagnosis. “
Kenny Birney, Head of IT, Diagnostics NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and project lead further expands, “computational pathology offers new insights through data analysis, meaning pathologists can consult on treatment options such as in immuno-oncology. Our aim is to bring these exciting innovations to Scotland with an integrated digital pathology solution, ensuring equity of access for all patients, irrespective of geographical location."
Within Scotland, it is cited that up to 70% of diagnoses made are informed by pathology and laboratory service work, and with increasing pathology service demand not being matched by a growth in workforce, a national digital pathology programme could increase the diagnostic speed and accuracy of pathology services to address these resource pressures.
This pilot follows the successful national roll out of diagnostic imaging Picture Archive and Communication Systems (PACS) programme across Scotland that has established several national centres of excellence. Richard Nicholson, Sales Director Digital Pathology Solutions, Philips UKI comments, “Philips is honoured to be involved in this very exciting pilot. With remote access to advanced digital images and data, not only can clinicians collaborate across localities but also diagnostic services are mobilised and taken where they’re needed. We hope that a national programme would embed faster, more accurate pathology services, to improve patient care.”
