Utilizing Virtual Microscopy for Quality Control Review

Virtual Microscopy (VM), the technique of digitizing microscope slides with common objective magnifications, may be equivalent to original glass slides on microscopes and will provide diagnostic image quality. Based on this technology an automated pathology review system can be designed in order to facilitate a more efficient quality assurance (QA)/quality control (QC) review process. The Gynecologic Oncology Group Tissue Bank (GOGTB) is funded by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and located at Columbus Children’s Research Institute in Columbus, OH The complexity of the GOGTB operation requires a reliable QC program that is accessible to multiple out of site/out of state reviewers on a regular basis, ideally 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In this setting, VM offers a reliable and potentially cost efficient alternative to the more classical method of glass slide peer review process that involves time consuming and costly packaging and mailing of material. The Virtual Microscopy Pilot EndeavoR (VIPER) (Fig. 1) pilot project automates the QC review process by allowing expert reviewers to remotely view digital images via the Internet. The VIPER system notifies reviewers of new cases and allows reviewers to identify significant slides, complete cases, request accounts, and reset accounts automatically. VIPER also streamlines