Digital pathology to enhance precision and efficiency in diagnostics
NYU Langone Health has revolutionised disease diagnosis through the launch of its digital pathology programme, moving from traditional microscope-based examination to high-definition digital imaging. This transformation allows for real-time sharing of diagnostic images across the hospital network, bringing unprecedented clarity in the viewing of human tissue samples, while also reducing diagnosis time and fostering collaboration. This development enhances a critical yet often overlooked aspect of patient care.
“For as long as pathology has existed, we’ve been bent over microscopes in our offices, manually reviewing slides that have been physically delivered to us,” said Dr. Syed T. Hoda, Director of Digital Pathology, Clinical and Bone and Soft Tissue Pathology at NYU Langone. Dr. Hoda is one of about 100 bone and soft tissue pathologists in the United States. “As of this week, images can be sent to the appropriate pathologist in real-time, regardless of where a patient is being treated in our network.”
This digital shift is especially timely, as the healthcare system is grappling with a shortage of pathologists amidst rising disease rates. A limited number of specialists are tasked with confirming diagnoses that impact millions of people. The adoption of digital pathology not only boosts the efficiency of pathologists’ workloads, but it also addresses risks associated with physical slides, such as storage complications, degradation over time, and delays in delivering results. These improvements will contribute to a more resilient healthcare system.
In addition to enhancing efficiency, the programme is also creating new employment opportunities. NYU Langone is hiring 24 digital pathology coordinators, introducing a new career path within the healthcare industry.
Dr. Joan F. Cangiarella, Vice Chair of Clinical Operations in the Department of Pathology at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, highlighted the intense nature of pathologists’ work. “Our team examines tissue samples from individuals we may never meet, agonising over microscopic details that could have life-altering consequences. Now, with digital pathology, we can perform these tasks at a much higher level, further enhancing the exceptional care we already provide.”
This transition to digital also paves the way for artificial intelligence (AI) to assist in diagnostics, offering an exciting prospect for future advancements in healthcare.
“As one of the first health systems in the United States to fully adopt digital pathology, NYU Langone is advancing disease detection for its patients and, through the integration of AI, initiating a paradigm shift that could help alleviate an impending bottleneck in the healthcare system,” said Nader Mherabi, Executive Vice President and Vice Dean, Chief Digital and Information Officer at NYU Langone.
Exploring the potential of AI, Dr. Sean Hacking, Director of Digital Pathology Research, elaborated: “This programme will expand our diagnostic toolkit. Digital images will fuel the AI models we’re developing to detect cancer and other diseases at the earliest, most crucial stages, which can profoundly affect the treatment options available to individuals.”
The digital pathology programme aims to reduce the time between testing and treatment, improve collaboration among medical teams, and potentially increase the direct involvement of pathologists in patient care. Already, the impact is being felt across the hospital network.
“Just yesterday, I attended our first fully ‘digital’ tumour board,” shared Dr. Hoda. “I was able to instantly access entire cases while we discussed patients in real-time. In the past, retrieving glass slides from storage could delay clinical decisions by hours or even days. For someone awaiting a diagnosis, that wait can feel like an eternity.”
NYU Langone Health has established a long-term partnership with Philips to integrate cutting-edge digital pathology technology. Martijn Hartjes, Clinical Informatics Business Leader at Philips, echoed Mherabi’s enthusiasm, describing digital pathology as a foundation for expanding the capabilities of pathologists.
“NYU Langone Health is setting a new standard for precision diagnosis and treatment by fully embracing digital workflows in pathology. In other laboratories, we’ve seen efficiency improvements of 15 to 25 percent per case,” Hartjes said. “Digital pathology also supports the integration of AI, which can further enhance efficiency and unlock new possibilities in disease detection. At Philips, we understand the challenges of transitioning from analogue to digital processes, so we are committed to delivering technology and services that simplify this transition and empower clinicians to provide better care to more patients.”
NYU Langone Health is a leading, patient-centred academic medical institution, recognised for its excellence in patient care, education, and research. For three consecutive years, Vizient, Inc. has ranked NYU Langone as the No. 1 comprehensive academic medical centre in the United States. U.S. News & World Report has also placed nine of its clinical specialties among the top five nationwide. The health system offers a wide range of medical services across six inpatient locations, the Perlmutter Cancer Center, and more than 300 outpatient facilities across the New York area and Florida. NYU Langone’s network also includes two medical schools and a vast research enterprise.