Philips Successfully Digitizes Two Pathology Labs in Austria

Amsterdam, the Netherlands – Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA), a global leader in health technology, today announced the continued momentum of its cutting-edge pathology diagnostics with the successful transformation of two fully digital pathology labs in Austria. The Pathology Institute in Hall and the Pathology Institute at Tirol Kliniken Innsbruck have fully digitized their diagnostic process with Philips IntelliSite Pathology Solution, a comprehensive digital pathology system designed to meet the challenges of today’s pathology lab.

Through examination of patient tissue samples, pathology plays a crucial role in the diagnosis and management of a variety of diseases, including cancer. While healthcare costs and quality pressures continue to mount, digital pathology can help improve the efficiency and quality of cancer diagnostics by enhancing collaboration across care teams and improving time to diagnosis. The Philips IntelliSite Pathology Solution helps healthcare organizations reinvent the traditional histopathology approach by implementing a fully digital workflow, enhancing efficiency and productivity, and improving confidence in making diagnosis.

“As pathologists seek more efficient means to support targeted, patient-specific therapy, the momentum continues of high-volume and networked pathology institutions across the world implementing fully digital pathology platforms,” said Russ Granzow, General Manager of Philips Digital Pathology Solutions. “Our solution unifies patient data and helps hospital systems improve workflows to achieve first time right decision-making, leading to better patient care.”

“Like other European countries, Austria has a dramatic lack of pathologists and a fully digital workflow solves this challenge by enhancing collaboration capabilities,” said Dr. Afschin Soleiman, Medical Director of the Pathology Institute at Tirol Kliniken Innsbruck, Austria, and head of two additional pathology labs. “We have simplified the process of discussing difficult cases with experienced colleagues, even if they are not on site, because the digital presentation of the pathology cases is quick to review, and allows for quantitative measurements.” A total of ten pathologists from Dr. Soleiman’s team diagnose using the Philips IntelliSite Pathology Solution, from within the lab and from externally.  

While several pathology laboratories in Europe and beyond already benefit from a fully digital histopathology clinical workflow, laboratories in the United States (U.S.) can now benefit using a digital system as well. The Philips IntelliSite Pathology Solution is the first digital pathology solution marketed for primary diagnostic use in the U.S. The Philips’ technology can aid pathologists to view and diagnose digital images of surgical pathology slides. This signals a significant leap forward for the pathology services industry, as the adoption of digital pathology continues to rise.

Recognizing the need for further education on the topic of digital pathology, Philips is holding free roadshows at major cities across the U.S. in 2017. To learn more about Philips Digital Pathology Roadshow dates, locations and to sign-up to attend, visit the website and follow @Philips_Path.

In the European Union, the Philips IntelliSite Pathology Solution is CE Marked under the European Union’s ‘In Vitro Diagnostics Directive’ for in vitro diagnostic use. In Canada, the Philips IntelliSite Pathology Solution is licensed by Health Canada for in vitro diagnostic use. In the United States, the Philips IntelliSite Pathology Solution can be used for in vitro diagnostic purposes. The Philips IntelliSite Pathology Solution is registered for in vitro diagnostic use in Singapore and Middle East.