Digital pathology lab is ‘the future of health care’ for region: GRH

Grand River Hospital (GRH) is holding accuracy, efficiency, and a patient-focused health care experience at the forefront of its newly announced Digital Pathology program.

It says it will help bring unparalleled advances, further medical research, and speed up the diagnoses of diseases for families throughout Waterloo Region.

The announcement for the new lab was made at a donor event on Jan. 7, with GRH saying it partnered with Huron Digital Pathology to integrate the new lab into its hospital, along with St. Mary’s General Hospital. It said the program is being launched thanks to a $1 million gift from The Savvas Chamberlain Family Foundation.

“Pathology can be described as the bridge between basic science and clinical practice, central to the understanding of disease,” Renee Giroux, Integrated Administrative Director of Laboratory Services at GRH and St. Mary’s General Hospital, said. “Digital Pathology can change the delivery and speed of diagnosis and prognosis for patients across the health care system.”

It comes as the two hospitals began exploring the use of digital pathology in 2022 through an evaluation project focusing on integrating the system with the hospital’s existing pathology systems. It worked to compare the newer digital image diagnoses with the current, traditional microscope-based methods for accuracy and reliability.

“The Huron Digital solution provides tools that enable pathologists to analyze and interpret tissue samples with unparalleled precision, facilitating faster diagnoses and more personalized treatment options for patients,” Carla Girolametto, Integrated Director of Innovation and Research, GRH and St. Mary’s General Hospital, notes. “Through our commitment to supporting Canadian innovation, we are proud to advance healthcare solutions that will have a lasting impact.”

GRH said the new system has now officially been implemented and adopted into its clinical setting after what it calls a “successful evaluation.”

“We are thrilled with the success of our pilot project with GRH and proud to be their partner of choice in this transformative journey,” Audil Virk, President of Huron Digital Pathology, said. “As more hospitals across Ontario and Canada join this initiative, we look forward to supporting the industry’s transition to digital solutions.”

The hospital said digital pathology introduces the digitization of pathology slides, enabling pathologists to examine and share high-resolution images of tissue samples remotely. It said this not only increases efficiency but also opens doors for collaboration between medical professionals across the globe, leading to more accurate diagnoses and improved treatment plans for patients.

“We believe in the transformative power of digital technology and investing in local innovation to shape the future of healthcare here in Waterloo and beyond,” a press release reads. “Supporting local healthcare through the Digital Pathology Lab is an investment in the advancement of medical science and the well-being of countless individuals who will benefit from this innovative research.”

The Integrated Pathology team at GRH and St. Mary’s General Hospital said it’s excited about the opportunities the Digital Pathology Lab brings to enhance diagnostics, advance medical research, and improve healthcare outcomes for patients in the region and globally.