The ability to access scanned slide images quickly and efficiently is dependent on server resources. Immediate-access capability is termed "active" storage. There is a finite amount of active storage available at any given time, and the volume of data generated by Pathology's slide scanning operations exceeds the available active storage capacity by an approximate factor of 2 as of late 2020. Unless flawed, we do not delete any whole-slide images. Therefore, it is necessary that a system be in place to store whole-slide images that meet criteria for archiving.
Whole-slide images to be archived are moved to a recently improved tape backup system. The interface functions much like any other Windows File Explorer window, with lists of folders, sub-folders, and files. However, data transfer functions quite differently than our active-storage server: while moving files into archive is fast, getting them out, and put back into active storage, takes considerably more time than, for example, moving files on a personal computer hard drive.
As of June, 2021, the following high-volume scanning use cases see regular archiving:
Dermatopathology transfer cases: six months following scanned image generation
Neuropathology cases: two years following scanned image generation (currently testing 3 yr)
Tumor Board cases: two years following scanned image generation
Hematopathology transfer-consult cases: two years following scanned image generation
As of November, 2020, the following use cases will not be routinely archived:
Faculty personal collections
Slides intended for educational use
Note: copies may only be available on the Virtual Slide Box as opposed to being available both on the VSB and the search engine in the Pathology Clinical Lab Portal.
If a slide or series of slides have been archived, you will see the following popup flag when your mouse pointer is positioned over the entry for a given slide. Search results example is from the Pathology Clinical Lab Portal search engine.
Typical turnaround time for restoring archived slides is less than 24 hours. Time required may be longer if the archive restoration request consists of more than approximately 10 to 20 slides. You will be notified by email when desired slides have been restored from archive.
ON THE COVER
Breast team reviewing a patient's slide. (From left to right) Ghassan Allo, Fellow; Laura Walters, Clinical Lecturer; Celina Kleer, Professor. See Article |
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Autopsy Technician draws blood while working in the Wayne County morgue. See Article |
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Dr. Sriram Venneti, MD, PhD and Postdoctoral Fellow, Chan Chung, PhD investigate pediatric brain cancer. See Article |
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Director of the Neuropathology Fellowship, Dr. Sandra Camelo-Piragua serves on the Patient and Family Advisory Council. |
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Residents Ashley Bradt (left) and William Perry work at a multi-headed scope in our new facility. |
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Dr. Kristine Konopka (right) instructing residents while using a multi-headed microscope. |
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Patient specimens poised for COVID-19 PCR testing. |
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Dr. Pantanowitz demonstrates using machine learning in analyzing slides. |
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MLabs, established in 1985, functions as a portal to provide pathologists, hospitals. and other reference laboratories access to the faculty, staff and laboratories of the University of Michigan Health System’s Department of Pathology. MLabs is a recognized leader for advanced molecular diagnostic testing, helpful consultants and exceptional customer service.