NYU Langone Health has partnered with Philips to implement a digital pathology program aimed at transforming disease diagnosis through high-definition, real-time imaging.

The shift to digital pathology means analyzing tissue samples with enhanced clarity, efficiency, and collaboration across the hospital network. The technology also promises faster diagnoses and improved patient outcomes, as pathologists can access digital images instantly, reducing the reliance on physical slides.

Dr. Syed T. Hoda, director of Digital Pathology, highlighted how the new system eliminates delays associated with physical slide transport, enabling pathologists to view cases in real time from any location. “As of this week, images can get to the right pathologist in real time, no matter where a patient is being treated in our network,” said Dr. Hoda.
The initiative comes at a time when the U.S. faces a growing shortage of pathologists, while the demand for accurate diagnoses is increasing. Digital pathology not only alleviates logistical challenges but also introduces AI-assisted diagnostics.

According to Dr. Sean Hacking, director of Digital Pathology Research, these digital images are vital for developing AI models to detect diseases like cancer earlier, potentially revolutionizing treatment options.

In addition to enhancing diagnostic capabilities, the program has opened new career opportunities at NYU Langone, with 24 digital pathology coordinators hired to manage the workflow.

Martijn Hartjes, clinical informatics business leader at Philips, noted that similar initiatives have boosted efficiency by up to 25% per case.

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