Kriti PatelTLDR:
A medical laboratory in Richland, Washington has reduced the turn-around time for lab samples thanks to the addition of digital slide scanners. Previously, samples collected from patients had to be physically delivered to Spokane for processing, which took up to three days. Now, the slides are digitally scanned and can be reviewed by a pathologist much quicker. The new technology also allows for real-time collaboration among pathologists, improving diagnosis and patient care.
A medical laboratory in Richland, Washington has reduced the turn-around time for lab samples thanks to the addition of digital slide scanners. Previously, samples collected from patients had to be physically delivered to Spokane for processing, which took up to three days. Now, the slides are digitally scanned and can be reviewed by a pathologist much quicker. The new technology also allows for real-time collaboration among pathologists, improving diagnosis and patient care.
The upgrade has come to the Spokane Valley headquarters for Incyte Diagnostics, which has a patient location at 221 Wellsian Way in Richland. Samples collected from patients at the Richland lab, Kadlec Regional Medical Center, Lourdes Medical Center or Trios Health have always been sent on a slide to Spokane for processing, which could take up to three days. Now, when slides are shipped to Spokane, they’re digitally scanned, allowing for a much quicker review by a pathologist.
The scanners are designed for high-volume laboratories and can input up to 300 slides in a single batch. Incyte worked with its vendor, Philips, to install the scanners and train staff on the software. The new technology allows for real-time collaboration among pathologists across different locations to enhance peer review opportunities for diagnostics, as opposed to the former way of shipping the slide from reviewer to reviewer, as needed.
Dr. Isaac Grindeland said digital pathology creates significant improvements in workload balance, subspecialty and consult optimization, case turnaround time, worksite flexibility, collaboration and communication. “Every moment matters for our patients, and digital pathology will help us increase the quality of care for them,” he said.
