Digital Pathology Launched in the ‘Era of COVID-19’

Memphis lab company makes the business case for scanning slides to cut costs, boost productivity

CEO SUMMARY: Is it smart to initiate digital pathology (DP) systems and whole-slide imaging just as a novel coronavirus upends healthcare and society at large? That was the question asked at Poplar Healthcare, a pathology lab in Memphis. Senior management proceeded with the implementation, despite the uncertainty that accompanied the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Nine months later, the early experience with digital pathology has been successful and Poplar now enjoys lower costs and new clients.

Like two trains on the same track approaching a head-on collision, a large pathology group’s scheduled implementation of digital pathology systems ran directly into the full effect of the COVID-19 pandemic when it hit with force last March and April.

The good news is that this collision of a planned roll-out of a digital pathology (DP) and whole-slide imaging (WSI) solution during the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak turned out well for Poplar Healthcare, an anatomic pathology group in Memphis with 25 pathologists. Poplar is beginning to realize the benefits of digital pathology and WSI in its daily workflow.

Poplar’s foray into digital pathology began in 2018, when Poplar’s managers started on an 18-month process of defining needs, selecting the scanners, and choosing the overall digital pathology management system.

In September, Poplar’s Chief Executive Officer James P. Sweeney spoke at The Dark Report’s Executive War College regarding Poplar’s entry into digital pathology. His co-presenter was Lisa-Jean Clifford, Chief Operating and Chief Strategy Officer for Gestalt Diagnostics in Spokane, Washington. 

Read full article at DarkReport.com