Telepathology ProjectBuilding the potential to create a

U.S. Air Force enterprise digital pathology network

Funding

• Congressional appropriations awarded to the IMITS Telepathology project in fiscal years 2002, 2004 and 2005

• Supported by Congressman John Murtha

Background

Objective

– To deploy digital pathology technologies in the U.S. Air Force (USAF) that are capable of supporting a robust telepathology network

Collaborators

– UPMC IMITs Center

– UPMC Department of Pathology

– University of Pittsburgh

– USAF (Keesler, Eglin, Travis, Lackland, Offutt and Nellis AFBs)

Accomplishments

• DoD approved Static Image equipment and software installed at Keesler, Eglin and Travis AFBs

• Whole slide imaging (WSI) equipment installed at Keesler AFB

• Static image case reviews initiated between USAF sites and UPMC

Fiscal Year 2002 Telepathology Project

Fiscal Year 2004 Telepathology Project

Accomplishments

• UPMC validation studies of whole slide imaging (WSI) for:1. Quality Assurance – published2. Primary Diagnosis - published 3. Immunohistochemistry – submitted for publication

• UPMC assessment of market leaders in WSI systems

• Static image case reviews continue between USAF sites and UPMC

Build Digital Pathology Champions in USAF

Current Project

• Identify USAF pathologists with keen interest in digital pathology

• Train to digital competence through UPMC developed courses, labs and certification programs

• Co-develop white papers detailing digital technologies and recommendations for practice in the USAF

Develop an Educational Repository of WSI

Current Project

• Co-design by UPMC and USAF pathologists

• Access via secure internet connection

• Equip with pre-programmed and customizable features

• Use to improve quality of care and service provided by USAF pathologists

• Co-design by UPMC and USAF pathologists

• Use to optimize USAF pathology workflow, cost efficiency and quality assurance procedures

• Disseminate to peer and professional audiences through publications, presentations and postings on common website

Current Project

Conduct Clinical Validation Studies of Digital Pathology Technologies

1A

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Glass Slide Quality

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Enhance integration of telepathology in the USAF

Current Project

• Identify opportunities and offices within DoD that can support digital pathology

• Analyze long-term strategic trends in the USAF that would benefit from digital pathology

• Develop detailed USAF business case for digital pathology

• Provide a forum for sharing knowledge and expertise

• Emphasize accomplishments of the USAF telepathology efforts

• Explore future goals and directions for USAF telepathology

Current Project Establish Annual Symposium for USAF

Telepathology

12th Annual ConferenceAPIII 2007

Anatomic Pathology Informatics and Imaging Support for Translational Medicine

With a focus on digital pathology

in the US Air Force and military.

Acknowledgement

• This work was supported by funding from the USAF, administered by the U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity, Fort Detrick, Maryland (Award No. W81XWH-04-2-0030 and Contract No. DAMD 17-0302-0017).

• The content of the information does not imply U.S. Air Force or government endorsement of factual accuracy or opinion.