A New Diagnostic Era
Drs. Edina Paal (sitting) and Suman Chauhan have validated a new computer-assisted system for screening pap smears.
After a 3-month long validation process, on October 1, 2020 Washington DC VA Medical Center pathologists Dr. Edina Paal and Dr. Suman Chauhan went live with a new computer-assisted system for screening pap smears. The new tool is good news for D.C. area women Veterans who have had gynecologic cancer screenings (pap smear) at the Women’s Health Clinic and the surrounding area VA Community-Based Outpatient Clinics.
According to Dr. Paal, the medical center’s Director of Surgical Pathology, the tool is a game changer. “The instrument, a Hologic ThinPrep integrated Imager, is a microscope equipped with a computer and image analysis software. In 90 seconds, the Imager scans the entire slide and selects the 22 most relevant fields,” explains Dr. Paal. A pathologist then reviews the selected fields and decides if the entire slide needs to be manually screened.
“This tool will lead to more accurate diagnoses while saving money on labor costs,” said Dr. Paal, “this system, combined with the lab’s new in-house HPV testing platform, translate to reduced turn-around-times for diagnoses and treatment.”
Pioneering the way for the VA system with the most advanced cytology screening tools, Dr. Paal says that at the present time, DC VAMC is the only VA medical center utilizing this technology. She adds, an additional benefit is that the system is also a valuable teaching tool that will introduce Pathology Department residents to 21st century solutions in cytopathology.
DC VAMC is moving forward, continually improving processes, efficiency and effectiveness of care and services for Veterans.
