ucla pathology and laboratory medicine - the UCLA Department of ...

Digital imaging will facilitateimproved communication andeducation among pathologists.CLINICAL SERVICESFernando Palma-Diaz, MD, Assistant Director, Telepathologyucla’s expanding global presenceThe UCLA Department of Pathology and LaboratoryMedicine has been at the forefront ofinternational telepathology development through itspartnership with China, and has now committeda significant effort toward integrating telepathologyinto daily practice closer to home. Recently, thedepartment received a substantial grant from theState of California to provide consultative telepathologyservices to underserved pathology practicesthroughout Southern California. The funding willbe used to acquire digital slide scanners that will beinstalled in remote pathology groups, and will enablethe department to begin space remodeling to accommodatetelepathology functions.Once installed and operational, these scannerswill allow pathologists working in underserved communitiesto obtain second-opinion consultationsfrom UCLA specialists on challenging pathologycases. This technology enables rapid transmissionof scanned slide data to the consultant pathologist,avoiding delays that occur when glass slides mustbe transported from one site to another. In additionto improving patient care – particularly forcases with urgent diagnoses – digital imaging willfacilitate improved communication and educationamong pathologists.agreement between Ronald Reagan UCLA MedicalCenter and Second Affiliate Hospital of ZhejiangUniversity (SAHZJU) in China. As part of the agreement,UCLA pathologists provide second-opiniondiagnoses to pathologists and other physicians inSAHZJU. Both cytological and histological casesare included, and cases span a broad range of organsystems, including head and neck, lung, gynecological,soft tissue and bone, neurological, and hematological.In addition, periodic multidisciplinary videoconferencesare held to discuss interesting cases.The program has expanded to reach much of Chinathrough additional collaborative agreements withtwo major reference labs (Dian Inc. and Adicon Inc.)and prominent institutions such as Cancer Hospital,Chinese Academy of Medical Science. The program’ssuccess has also stimulated similar collaborationsin other areas, including radiology, oncology, andnuclear medicine. nexplore Telepathologypathology.ucla.edu/telepathologyThe department’s international telepathologyprogram began in 2010 with a collaborativepathology & laboratory medicine at ucla 7