Integrated healthcare delivery system Central Maine Healthcare (CMH), in collaboration with Spectrum Healthcare Partners, will broaden its digital pathology operations using Pramana’s autonomous, artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled SpectralHT scanners and Proscia's image management software.
The digital pathology system aims to improve operational efficiency and provide pathologists with a more comprehensive case view.
Dr. Bilal Ahmad, managing director of Spectrum Healthcare Partners' pathology division, told Maine Public that pathologists will use AI tools to analyze pathology samples. In addition, Ahmad said the partnership means CMH can get pathologist support from outside of Maine when needed. Moreover, Ahmad added, Spectrum has developed a new model it hopes to replicate with other hospitals.
Spectrum pathologists offer a full range of advanced anatomic and clinical pathology services. Coinciding with the CMH announcement, Spectrum announced that it will be a designated technical director for NorDx Laboratories, a not-for-profit regional reference laboratory that operates under MaineHealth.
"In this unique partnership where Spectrum pathologists can be a designated technical director, experts from both sides of the process can work together to optimize workflows and results," Spectrum said. "This collaboration starts when an opportunity for improvement is identified."
NorDx technical staff and laboratory leadership will work closely with Spectrum pathologists, Spectrum added.
Spectrum Healthcare Partners (SHP) is an independent, multispecialty, physician-owned healthcare practice. SHP consists of 200 physicians practicing in the areas of anesthesiology, orthopedics, pathology, radiation oncology, radiology, and vascular and interventional radiology.
“The skill level required to produce the histologic patient tissue slides in conjunction with the experience and expertise of the Spectrum pathologists allow both organizations to contribute to and provide high-quality patient care,” stated Richard Carter, director of anatomic pathology laboratory operations at NorDx Laboratories, as part of Spectrum's announcement on October 18.
CMH serves 400,000 people living in central, western, and mid-coastal Maine. CMH’s hospital facilities include Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston, Bridgton Hospital, and Rumford Hospital. CMH also supports Central Maine Medical Group, a primary and specialty care practice organization.
Other CMH system services include the Central Maine Heart and Vascular Institute, the Trauma Center at Central Maine Medical Center, LifeFlight of Maine’s central Maine base, the Central Maine Comprehensive Cancer Center, and other clinical services.
