Provincial Telepathology Networks And Their Connection Into National/Central Telepathology Network In China: A Result Analysis From 2012 To 2015 : SY02.03 | Telepathology

INTRODUCTION / BACKGROUND: In recent years, telepathology has played an increasingly important role in pathology consultation/second opinion. SinceChinaimplemented a national/central telepathology network for cancer diagnosis in 2011, many provinces have also planned and implemented their own provincial or local telepathology networks. AIMS: We here reported the provincial telepathology network and their operation from 2012 to 2015. We also reported their connection to national/central network. METHODS: All available provincial and local telepathology networks inChinawere surveyed. Only those provincial or local telepathology networks meet following criteria were included: (1) Network uses whole slide images and internet based platform technology; (2) Network sponsored or owned by provincial or local pathology quality control center; (3) Network currently functioning. RESULTS: From 2011 to Dec 2015, 6 provincial telepathology networks have been implemented. Xinjiang provincial network was set up in 2011 and connected to 40 local hospitals; Shandong provincial network (www.pathol- ogy.telemedicine.net.cn) was established in 2012 and connected to 50 local hospitals; Hainan provincial network (59.50.108.88) was set up in 2013 and connected to all 50 local hospitals in the province; Guangxi provincial network (www.gx.chinapathology.cn) was set up in 2013 and connected to 28 hospitals; Shenzhen city network (www.szcenter.cn) was set up in 2013 and connected to 15 local hospitals; Fujian provincial network (www.fj.mpathology.cn) was connected to 107 local hospitals. By 2015, 5 out of the 6 provincial networks have connected to national/central network. From 2012 to 2015, both national/central network and provincial networks provided pathology consultation for a total of 78,264 patients. Our survey indicated that in recent years multiple provincial telepathology networks have been set up in China. Through both national/central and provincial networks, telepathology consultation has played an important role in reducing diagnostic errors inChina