Digital & Computational Pathology - Lab Director & Pathologist, Community Hospital Network

A lab director and pathologist utilizes digital pathology at various locations within their network, with processes and capabilities varying between sites. Factors such as volume, available space, and pathologist preferences drive the decision to use different models. The stakeholder estimates that approximately 25% of their digital pathology cases are sent out to a reference lab, and the cost of sending out digital pathology staining is mentioned to be around $40,000 per year. The stakeholder discusses the factors influencing the acquisition of digital pathology instruments, mentioning the breakdown of annual costs and the time it takes to recoup the upfront capital equipment cost. They express satisfaction with their current instrument and criticize the complexity and lack of integration in digital pathology platforms for tumor board presentations. The stakeholder also addresses the role of digital pathology in clinical diagnostics and research, estimating that 90% is related to routine clinical diagnostics and 10% is for research purposes. They note the utilization of digital pathology for specific indications such as emerging biomarkers, influenced by NCCN guidelines and insurance coverage. The stakeholder ranks their familiarity with PathAI and Paige.AI, highlighting the strengths of each platform. They also mention gaps in the digital pathology market, such as limited access, reimbursement challenges, and lack of integration with LIS and EMR systems. The impact of COVID-19 on digital pathology usage is discussed, with remote work and the need to minimize exposure increasing its usage. The stakeholder believes these changes will continue to improve patient care. Overall, the interview provides insights into the current utilization, challenges, and future prospects of digital pathology within the stakeholder's network.