Image analysis can be an effective tool for achieving consistent interpretation. The following are important considerations:
- A pathologist must confirm the image analysis result.
- Image analysis procedures must be validated before implementation.
- Image analysis equipment, just as other laboratory equipment, must be calibrated and subjected to regular maintenance and internal quality control (QC) evaluation. A lack of calibration of the optical microscopes used by pathologists would certainly contribute to interpretive variation.
- If pathologists use several different microscopes to read assays, a system of calibration of these instruments should be implemented to ensure consistent interpretation.
