Telepathology
Telepathology enables pathologists to remotely review slide images, which in turn increases work flow efficiency, decreases turn-around time and allows a business to be more economical.
A lab that prepares and digitizes a slide can immediately send an image out for a review. Telepathology allows a pathologist to seek a second opinion or peer review within minutes from another pathologist anywhere around the world - without the added processing time and cost associated with preparing a second cut of slides. Further, specimens would no longer need to be retrieved from on-site or off-site storage facilities. Typically, slide retrieval time varies from a few minutes to a week, and instances of missing slides do occur. Telepathology would eliminate the slide retrieval process which would then minimize the delay from the time a pathologist decides to review a case to when he or she is viewing the information.
Through Telepathology, a pathologist and a sub-specialist can review a case simultaneously in real time. Pathologists can therefore provide expert opinions from any location without needing to physically visit the laboratory.
Telepathology allows students to use computers to view images, eliminating the maintenance of large numbers of microscopes by labs for slide review. Interesting cases can be shared globally between different sites and users without having to send slides out. Sharing digital slides can provide a means of continuous professional development for practicing pathologists, fellows and residents.
