Telepathology Project

1
Telepathology Project

• Building the potential to create a
• U.S. Air Force enterprise digital pathology
  network

2
Funding

• Congressional appropriations awarded to the IMITS
  Telepathology project in fiscal years 2002, 2004
  and 2005
• Supported by Congressman John Murtha

3
Background

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

4
Accomplishments

• Fiscal Year 2002 Telepathology Project

• 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

5
Accomplishments

• Fiscal Year 2004 Telepathology Project

• UPMC validation studies of whole slide imaging
  (WSI) for 1. Quality Assurance published 2.
  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

6
Current Project

• Build Digital Pathology Champions in USAF

• 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

7
Current Project

• Develop an Educational Repository of WSI

• 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

8
Current Project

• Conduct Clinical Validation Studies of Digital
  Pathology Technologies

• 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

9
Current Project

• Enhance integration of telepathology in the USAF

• 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

10
Current Project

• Establish Annual Symposium for USAF Telepathology

• Provide a forum for sharing knowledge and
  expertise
• Emphasize accomplishments of the USAF
  telepathology efforts
• Explore future goals and directions for USAF
  telepathology

11
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.

12

• Healthy in war and peace...mission ready