Digital odyssey: lessons learnt from a reverse transition from a digital to a manual pathology workflow

Abstract

In the fully digital Caltagirone pathology laboratory, a reverse shift from a digital to a manual workflow occurred due to a server outage in September 2023. Here, insights gained from this unplanned transition are explored. Surveying the affected pathologists and technicians revealed unanimous preferences for the time-saving and error-reducing capabilities of the digital methodology. Conversely, the return to manual methods highlighted increased dissatisfaction and reduced efficiency, emphasising the superiority of digital workflows. This case study underscores that transition challenges are not inherent to digital workflows but to transitioning itself, advocating for the adoption of digital technologies in all pathology practices.