System for Laboratory Image Management (SLIM) to Facilitate Digital Pathology for multiple Cooperative Cancer Groups at the Biopathology Center
Thomas J. Barr ; Nationwide Children's Hospital/The Ohio State University;
Content:
Although the use of digital pathology continues to gain in popularity and acceptance by the research community it remains a disruptive technology to integrate into existing laboratory workflows. The effective management and integration of digital pathology into the cooperative cancer group setting requires innovation and automation along the entire process including: customer requests, priority of requests, order tracking, labeling, processing, quality assurance and finally the safe return of the glass slides to the customer.
Technology:
Utilizing ASP.NET, SQL Server 2005, Aperio Spectrum Plus, and Web Services the Research Informatics Core is in the pilot phase of SLIM which will fully automate the request, prioritization, processing, analysis, and return of glass slides and digital images to the customer. SLIM also integrates multiple specimen banking applications and the Virtual Imaging for Pathology, Education and Research which captures pathology review data.
Design:
SLIM is initially driven by the Virtual Microscopy Request System (VMRS) which captures necessary image order request information electronically from the customer. SLIM is also integrated with other operations and imaging systems developed by the Research Informatics Core including the Specimen Tracking And Receiving System (STARS) and the Virtual Imaging for Pathology, Education and Research (VIPER) which automates the pathology review process. This integration of systems allows for the capture of multiple data elements associated with both the specimen and the digital image.
Results:
Although SLIM is not fully developed early indications are positive as the system has significantly improved communication with the customer as well as communication among members of the operations and imaging teams. Improved communications with the customers has allowed the Biopathology Center teams to better plan and manage staff time and equipment resources.
Conclusion:
We present a software application that integrates both specimen management and digital imaging applications utilized for multiple cooperative cancer groups to facilitate digital pathology into the existing laboratory workflow. The pilot phase of SLIM has already improved the effective use of digital pathology at the Biopathology center. The complete system will likely accelerate further use of digital imaging for both existing cases and new cases received at our facility.
