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TalkingPoint PacsLink enhances digital pathology integration
New TalkingPoint PacsLink automation reduces clinical risk and enhances digital pathology workflows.
TalkingPoint has introduced TalkingPoint PacsLink, an advanced automation tool that streamlines digital pathology workflows by linking digital imaging systems with Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS), reducing clinical risk and improving reporting efficiency.
While currently deployed with Sectra digital pathology at NHS sites, this TalkingPoint automation is platform-agnostic and can be readily configured to support any digital imaging system that allows case identifiers to be read from and written to. This positions PacsLink as a flexible automation solution.
PacsLink automates the display link between Sectra and a variety of LIMS (Laboratory Information Management Systems), ensuring seamless and accurate case loading. This eliminates the manual steps previously required, which posed risks such as incorrect case selection and delays in reporting.
Addressing a key challenge in digital pathology
Pathology departments across the NHS are rapidly digitising slides, but integrating digital imaging with existing LIMS systems remains a major challenge. For example, traditionally, pathologists have had to manually search for cases in Sectra after selecting them in the LIMS (or vice versa), an inefficient process that introduces the risk of misidentifying patient cases.
PacsLink resolves this by enabling a bi-directional link between Sectra and the LIMS, ensuring that the correct case is promptly and automatically retrieved in both systems. This reduces the potential for human error, enhances reporting accuracy, and saves valuable time in high-pressure pathology environments.
Another major benefit of PacsLink is automatic CaseID translation, which removes a common source of frustration for pathologists. Different systems often require varying CaseID formats, which can lead to confusion or failed lookups. PacsLink handles these translations seamlessly in the background. For example
- At Conquest Hospital, a LIMS CaseID of PH123456\25 is automatically translated to and from PH123456_25
- At Royal Sussex County Hospital, a CaseID of 25H123456 becomes 0025H123456 and vice versa.
By managing these inconsistencies automatically, PacsLink eliminates another layer of friction between the imaging and LIMS systems.
Additional workflow features include:
- bi-directional case retrieval: when a case is opened in the imaging system, the LIMS case is automatically retrieved, and vice versa
- automatic digital image handling: images open maximised on the designated screen when the case is opened and close automatically when exited
- context-sensitive loading: image loading is bypassed for case types such as cytology, where no slides are available
- screen configuration flexibility: PacsLink now supports up to three screens, allowing users to define screen placement using intuitive commands like “Left”, “Centre”, and “Right”. For example, “Window Screen Left” moves an active window while preserving its screen-relative position
- switchable modes: users can change operating modes at any time, adapting the system to their preferred workflow in real time.
Successful implementation at NHS Trusts
The TalkingPoint PacsLink automation is being rolled out across the Sussex Pathology Network (SPN). The Pathology service at Conquest Hospital was the first site to deploy digital pathology in the SPN, adopting Sectra for their digital pathology imaging, but challenges with manual case selection highlighted the need for automation.
TalkingPoint enables cases to be retrieved in seconds without the need for complex manual searches. This significantly enhances the efficiency of pathology reporting, particularly in high-volume pathology services where time savings translate to faster diagnoses and improved patient care.
Jonathan Burgess, Advanced Clinical Reporting Practitioner at Conquest Hospital, has played a key role in testing and refining this new automation before its wider deployment.
“When we first introduced digital pathology, the decision was made to continue with LIMS-based reporting, meaning there was no direct link between Sectra and our LIMS. This meant pathologists had to manually locate and match cases in both systems, which not only took extra time but also introduced a risk of human error,” Jonathan explained. “I raised the challenge with The TalkingPoint Team, and they developed an automation that has transformed our workflow. The automation now allows bi-directional case retrieval, meaning a case selected in Sectra automatically loads in the LIMS, and vice versa. It’s a seamless process that improves efficiency and clinical safety.”
By enabling bi-directional case retrieval, this automation supports different workflow preferences. Some pathologists continue to reference paper request forms when opening cases, while others work entirely digitally. Regardless of the approach, the system eliminates the need to switch between multiple systems, reducing inefficiencies and supporting the wider adoption of digital pathology.
A step towards fully integrated digital pathology
Digital pathology adoption is growing across the NHS, but achieving full integration between imaging, reporting, and tracking systems remains a work in progress. TalkingPoint’s expertise in automation is helping NHS trusts bridge these gaps, ensuring that pathology departments can fully benefit from digital workflows.
In addition to the Sectra automation, The TalkingPoint Team has introduced an enhancement that automatically tracks whether a case has been reported digitally or using traditional glass slides. This feature is particularly valuable for UKAS accreditation, ensuring that pathology departments can maintain clear records of reporting methods and comply with regulatory requirements. Previously, pathologists had to manually indicate whether a report was generated from digital slides or physical slides, increasing the risk of omission or inconsistency. With this automation, the system now ensures that every report is accurately logged with its corresponding slide type, reducing administrative burden and improving clinical transparency.
With NHS trusts facing increasing demands to improve reporting accuracy and turnaround times, TalkingPoint’s automation solutions offer a practical, cost-effective way to optimise digital pathology processes while reducing clinical risk.
For more information about TalkingPoint’s solutions, contact us today.
