Digital Pathology for Community Hospitals | Dr. Elizabeth Plocharczyk

Digital Pathology Podcast

She did it all on her own, to keep serving her patients.
In this episode of Digital Pathology Podcast, host Dr. Aleksandra Zuraw is joined by Dr. Elizabeth Plocharczyk, a pathologist based in Ithaca, New York.
Beth shares her experience integrating digital pathology into her practice at Guthrie Cortland Medical Center and Cayuga Medical Center at Ithaca, NY. Her journey offers insights into the practicalities of adopting digital tools in a community hospital setting.
🔥 The discussion highlights:

• The factors that influenced Beth to start using digital pathology.
• How digital tools have addressed challenges related to being a solo practitioner in a rural area.
• The significance of compliance, internal validation, and administrative support in transitioning to digital pathology.
• Suggestions for pathologists considering digital pathology, emphasizing iterative implementation and the importance of validation regardless of FDA approval status.

Dr. Plocharczyk's account underscores the role of digital pathology in enhancing the efficiency and flexibility of pathology practice, especially in geographically constrained settings.
The episode provides a REALISTIC OVERVIEW OF TRANSITIONING TO DIGITAL PATHOLOGY, including overcoming potential hurdles and leveraging technology for more effective pathology services.
Be sure to watch or listen to the full episode, as Dr. Plocharchyk reveals all the details about the equipment she used, the way she validated the system as well as her budget.
This episode is particularly relevant for pathologists and healthcare professionals exploring digital pathology's potential to improve practice management and patient care.
Questions that will be answered:

• Who is Dr. Beth? What did her pathology practice look like before digital pathology?
• When did Dr. Beth start using digital pathology?
• What was impossible before going digital?
• How did you determine which tools to use?
• Why did you opt for Whole Slide Imaging, for frozen sections?
• What was the budget and how did you know this is a reasonable budget?
• How long have you had the equipment?
• If budget was not a constraint, what would you add to your digital pathology arsenal?
• Are you building your tools or seeking the help of a third-party provider?
• What does the day-to-day practice with your digital pathology tools look like?
• How have the community hospitals responded to the new cutting-edge technology?
• What advice would you give to those starting with digital pathology?
• Would digital pathology help you grow your practice?

THIS EPISODE RESOURCES:
Smart in Media PathoZoom Live View and Scan:
🔗 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZA9HX3qSfk&list=UULF-bagVf7bqp3L0bAdNYaaQg
Grundium Ocus Whole Slide Scanner:
🔗 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dq-vdOL9Q9Q&list=UULF-bagVf7bqp3L0bAdNYaaQg

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