Telemedicine Solutions for Pathologists
In contrast to pediatrics, pathology has been slower to adapt to the benefits that digital imaging technology can bring to the practice of healthcare. However, this is not the case at Barrow Neurological Institute (BNI), located in Phoenix, Ariz., an internationally-recognized leader in neurological research and patient care.Anatomic and clinical pathologists at BNI are turning to GlobalMedia for a more streamlined and superior approach for image acquisition, enhancement and collaboration for microscopy. The company's CapSure® digital imaging solution is helping the doctors automate basic procedures and enhance the institute's overall research experience and value.Using CapSure, pathologists can share live video images of a frozen section for inter-operative consultations without the additional delay of transferring static files or physically transporting specimens. By linking to the operating room via the hospital network, the pathologists and surgeons can engage in meaningful discussion with real-time image collaboration. Equipping the surgeons with more accurate and efficient information in turn leads to less patient time under anesthesia and greater overall safety.
In addition to real-time communications, CapSure is serving several other purposes at BNI.
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The camera and software solution is a valuable teaching tool to use with residents and students. The high-quality images and ease of use have resulted in the system becoming the primary tool for taking photos for conferences, lectures, tumor boards and presentations.
BNI officials note the improvement to many of their standard laboratory functions, including capturing graphical data, enhancing it for research and teaching purposes, and cataloging the data. CapSure also contains a feature called Chromo Photon Staining (CPS), which allows researchers to digitally stain the entire sample or only a region-of-interest to a particular chrominance value for isolating and identifying a specific subject of study - all at the microscopic level.
An Eye to the Future
Looking forward, the institute is considering expanding the use of the system to display larger specimens from the general operating room. In these instances, pathologists could immediately confer with surgeons regarding whether the margins were acceptable when taking the biopsy, a process that currently requires physically transporting the specimen from the surgeon to the pathologist. In the lab, BNI intends to capture images of the gross anatomy for inclusion within the medical records via a macro station from GlobalMedia that integrates directly with the CapSure system already in place
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