INDIANAPOLIS – Today, August 7, St.Vincent Indianapolis Hospital pathologists performed a live reading of a biopsy with University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) neuropathologists using the new TeleNeuropathology technology.
The 128-year-old health provider is the first in the state and a select few in the nation to utilize new TeleNeuropathology technology. By gaining immediate access to the nationally-ranked UPMC’s neuropathologists on biopsies of brain and spine tumors, St.Vincent patients are provided with an immediate interpretation that often results in an exact diagnosis.
“Through this partnership we have been able to drastically reduce the wait time of diagnosis for patients,” said Dr. David B. Wilson, anatomic and clinical pathologist at AmeriPath, a partner of St.Vincent. “To have access to this kind of cutting-edge technology and incomparable expertise with UPMC is paramount.”
Both healthcare providers share the same mission for excellence in health care, which is demonstrated through this advanced technological partnership. By committing to this relationship, St.Vincent is taking the necessary steps to advance the quality of patient care by utilizing advanced technology to provide quicker turnaround time on diagnosis.
This specialized technology is a robotic microscope used to remotely view the biopsy through an internet connection where the microscope’s view is shown on a computer screen. During this time, both the neuropathologists at UPMC and the pathologist at St.Vincent in Indianapolis can control the functions of the microscope from the computer and view the biopsy on the screen. Meanwhile, the neurosurgeons, who just performed the surgical biopsy, can follow along on their computer monitors in the operating room.
“With UPMC’s advanced telemedicine capabilities, we can bring the best possible care to patients in the most convenient and cost-effective way,” said UPMC Pathologist Clayton Wiley, MD. “We are excited to share with St.Vincent the technology and expertise that has been proven in our 20-hospital system.”
This comprehensive technology allows for a complete consultation by a team of experts in real time using the robotic microscope. After the immediate interpretation of the biopsy, it is then delivered to UPMC for exact diagnosis.
Traditionally, a patient’s wait time for a typical brain tumor diagnosis would take 2-3 weeks due to national limited access to neuropathologists. Thanks to this new partnership between St.Vincent and UPMC, a patient’s wait time for a typical diagnosis has been reduced to 1-5 days.
It is estimated more than 22,000 malignant tumors of the brain or spinal cord will be diagnosed in 2009.
The Indiana Neuroscience Institute (INI) at St.Vincent is comprised of a multi-disciplinary team that treats disorders of the brain, spine and nervous system in both adults and children. Nationally, the faith-based institution is ranked and recognized for stroke by the American Stroke Association, HealthGrades and recently nationally accredited by The Joint Commission. The neurology specialists at St.Vincent provide patients with comprehensive, holistic care for all neurological needs.
For more information, call (317) 338-9806.
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St.Vincent Hospitals and Health Services
Driven by the faith of four Daughters of Charity who arrived in Indianapolis in 1881 with $34.77 in their pockets, the St.Vincent Hospital mission is to treat the poor and sick by following our Core Values of Service of the Poor, Reverence, Integrity, Wisdom, Creativity and Dedication. Our healthcare ministry has grown to include seven Centers of Excellence: Women's, Children's, Orthopedics, Cardiovascular, Neuroscience, Cancer Care and Bariatrics. The ageless mission of St.Vincent remains unchanged: to minister to the minds, bodies and spirits of those in need.
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC)
UPMC is an $8 billion integrated global health enterprise headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and one of the leading nonprofit health systems in the United States. As western Pennsylvania’s largest employer, with 50,000 employees, UPMC is transforming the economy of the region into one based on medicine, research and technology. By integrating 20 hospitals, 400 doctors’ offices and outpatient sites, long-term care facilities and a major health insurance services division, and in collaboration with its academic partner, the University of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences, UPMC has advanced the quality and efficiency of health care and developed internationally renowned programs in transplantation, cancer, neurosurgery, psychiatry, orthopaedics and sports medicine, among others. UPMC is commercializing its medical and technological expertise by nurturing new companies, developing strategic business relationships with some of the world’s leading multinational corporations and expanding into international markets, including Italy, Ireland, the United Kingdom, Cyprus and Qatar. For more information about UPMC, visit our Web site at www.upmc.com.
