Catalonia drives the digital transformation of pathology with the installation of 24 high-resolution scanners in hospitals

The Catalan Department of Health, through the Catalan Health Service (CatSalut), has made 24 high-resolution digital pathology scanners available to the healthcare system. These are being installed in 13 hospitals belonging to the Integrated Public Use Health System of Catalonia (SISCAT) and will be fully deployed by mid-December. The new equipment enables the digitisation of biological samples analysed in pathology laboratories—an area that plays a key role in diagnosing many diseases—allowing for faster, more accurate, and easily shareable studies among professionals from different centres.

This initiative marks a significant step towards the full digitalisation of pathology in Catalonia, a key tool for improving diagnostic accuracy, reducing waiting times, and advancing towards more personalised and precision medicine.

The digital images generated by the scanners will be integrated into PAT-SIMDCAT, Catalonia’s digital medical imaging platform. This system facilitates the consultation, analysis, and exchange of images among professionals across hospitals, promoting collaborative work among pathologists. Furthermore, digitalisation opens the way to the progressive incorporation of artificial intelligence tools to support diagnosis and increase system efficiency.

The TIC Salut i Social Foundation has contributed to the centralised purchasing and tendering process and is now supporting the deployment of the digital pathology solution.

Progressive implementation across SISCAT hospitals

The installation of the scanners and the training of professionals began at the end of September and will continue progressively in the remaining centres until the second week of December.

Specifically, the new scanners have been allocated to pathology services in SISCAT hospitals that are not yet digitalised: Hospital de Mataró, Terrassa (CST), Sabadell (Parc Taulí), Sant Joan de Reus, Fundació Puigvert – IUNA, Hospital General de l’Hospitalet (CSI), Althaia – Xarxa Assistencial Universitària de Manresa, Palamós, Sant Jaume de Calella, Figueres, and Mútua de Terrassa.

New scanners will also be added to Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge (ICS) and Hospital de Vic, which already operate digital systems. Among the first hospitals to receive the scanners are Hospital de Mataró, Parc Taulí in Sabadell, and the Consorci Sanitari de Terrassa.

European funding and digital transformation of the healthcare system

The project forms part of the GenES Plan, an initiative of the Spanish Ministry of Health to deploy a common portfolio of genetic services within the National Health System. It is financed through Next Generation EU funds under the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan (PRTR). Within this framework, CatSalut has invested €3.3 million in purchasing this equipment to strengthen diagnostic capacity and optimise workflows in pathology laboratories.

“With this step forward, the Catalan healthcare system reinforces its commitment to driving the digital transformation of pathology, enhancing the diagnostic and prognostic precision of complex, rare, and oncological diseases—a key factor in advancing towards more personalised, precise, and efficient medicine”, says Gemma Valeta, Manager of Personalised and Precision Medicine in the Care Area of the Catalan Health Service. “The new equipment will strengthen collaboration among professionals, improve diagnostic quality, and facilitate the adoption of advanced analytical technologies that will contribute to safer and more tailored patient care.”

Source: Department of Health