Digital Histopathology

A fully digital histopathology process will support improved turn-around times as pathologists will be able to access their slides immediately after they are scanned, from any location. It will also remove the requirement to manually transport samples, which can increase the risk of lost or damaged slides. It supports enhanced clinical decision making by enabling slides to be viewed by all clinicians during multi-disciplinary meetings. Going forward, the system will support the aspirations of trust research and development partners regarding the use of AI.

Yes, if not better. The scanners capture high-resolution images of both routine and non-routine blocks. The feedback we have had from clinicians currently completing the clinical validation process is that the scans are comparable and, in many cases, better than looking through the microscope.

Fully digital reporting will begin on 1 November 2024. Once consultant pathologists have completed their digital reporting validation, as per RCPath guidelines, they can begin to use the system during the familiarisation window. It is planned that the window will begin by mid-April, when Beaker LIMS has been integrated with the digital histopathology system. Strategic Clinical Lead guidance is that you report 25% of your slides digitally during the window to achieve familiarisation ahead of the switch to fully digital reporting on 1 November.

You will access your digital slides by logging in to the image management system (IMS) at any location via provided IT hardware (PC’s and laptops).

Please follow your usual process for IT support by contacting your IT helpdesk.

Some of you will have been able to complete your clinical validation process already. The Trust IT department is prioritising arrangements that will allow all clinicians to complete the process as soon as possible. It involves accessing digitally scanned slides within the IMS which have been placed in easy-to-access, discipline-specific folders. When this has been done, Clinical Leads will provide sign off. Training has been provided by Philips. Clinicians can turn to their respective Clinical Leads for support during the period of clinical validation.