Whole Slide Imaging Based Digital Pathology Network between Pakistan and USA

Abstract

In 2007, a modern digital pathology facility was conceived at the Telemedicine Center of the Holy Family Hospital (HFH), Rawalpindi, Pakistan, in collaboration with the Pathology Department of the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), Boston, USA [1]. A pathologist from HFH was trained at MGHandwas provided equipmentwith the relevant software installed. Between December 2011 and August 2012, weekly hour-long teleconferences were held between the two centers, where static histopathology images were discussed using PowerPoint.The following month, Pakistan’s first whole slide imaging (WSI) scanner was installed at the Telemedicine Center at HFH; however, before it could become functional, the pathologist left the country. The aim of the project had been for MGH to provide digital pathology support to HFH and other facilities in the country; however, the untimely exit of the trained pathologist had led to a breach in communication and a hiatus in the activities. In early 2013, we reestablished the connection, utilizing the Telemedicine Center but this time with pathologists from the Federal Government Poly Clinic (FGPC) Hospital, Islamabad. Due to the needs of teleconsultation in Pakistan, we have changed the protocol to organize teleconsultation to fit the current situation.