Digital pathology structure and deployment in Veneto: a proof-of-concept study

Area of Science:

• Medical Informatics
• Digital Health
• Pathology

Background:

• Digital pathology (DP) and whole slide imaging are increasingly adopted globally.
• Implementing a full DP workflow presents significant challenges, particularly for extensive healthcare networks.
• The Veneto region in Italy initiated a comprehensive digital transformation across 12 hospitals.

Purpose of the Study:

• To outline the planning and operational phases for a large-scale digital pathology transition.
• To describe the implementation of a digital workflow for approximately 3 million slides annually.
• To achieve a standardized, safe, and digitally managed pathology process for improved patient care.

Main Methods:

• Describing the strategic planning and execution stages of the digital transformation.
• Implementing whole slide imaging and digital sample management across a network of 12 hospitals.
• Integrating systems for efficient file sharing and exploring artificial intelligence support.

Main Results:

• The article details the planning and operational phases of the digital pathology implementation.
• Preliminary results from the initial stages of the project are presented.
• The transition involves managing nearly 3 million slides per year within the integrated network.

Conclusions:

• The digital transformation in the Veneto region aims to enhance patient care via digital pathology.
• Key goals include standardized digital sample management, improved collaboration, and AI integration.
• Successful implementation requires careful planning and execution for large healthcare networks.