Pathology and Laboratory Medicine International (Jan 2023)

Whole Slide Imaging Integration with Lab Information Systems, a Study of the Requirements, Processes and Procedures Enabling a Reporting-Based Workflow

  • Alchami FS,
  • Iqbal Z,
  • Björkhammer CN,
  • Saeed MO,
  • Ramakrishnan R,
  • Clelland C,
  • Ahmad F,
  • Charles A

Journal volume & issue
Vol. Volume 15
pp. 1 – 11

Abstract

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Fouad S Alchami,1,2 Zafar Iqbal,3 Carl Niclas Björkhammer,1 Mohammed O Saeed,3 Ramachandran Ramakrishnan,3 Colin Clelland,1 Fareed Ahmad,3 Adrian Charles1 1Department of Pathology, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar; 2Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, Qatar, Doha, Qatar; 3Imaging Information Systems, Sidra Medicine, Doha, QatarCorrespondence: Fouad S Alchami, Department of Pathology, Sidra Medicine, Doha, 26999, Qatar, Tel +974 40033034, Email [email protected]: Significant advances have been achieved in the clinical implementation of digital pathology (DP) whole slide imaging (WSI). However, the workflow of the reporting process and the full integration of this technology into the lab and hospital information system have not been sufficiently addressed. There is not sufficient vendor and industry consideration for this in the development and implementation process.Methods: Exploring the requirements of direct integration of WSI with the lab and hospital information systems, demonstrating the workflow, challenges and best practices. Mapping and refining the process of movement of the digital slides. The anatomical pathology team, in collaboration with information technology and the vendor, establish the required scripts in order to enable direct integration, therefore allowing the laboratory a highly automated system of case, slide, and report movement.Results: Direct integration was achieved fulfilling the required goals specified by the workflow mapping. An automated case movement process was established in order to enable the pathologist a work management process from the digital platform. The integration errors and challenges were audited and reported.Conclusion: WSI digital pathology integration is achievable; however, it requires significant resource allocation adding to the technology acquirement.Keywords: digital pathology, whole slide imaging, lab information systems, integration

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