Case study

    Transforming pathology services at Tartu University Hospital

    Tartu University Hospital and Nortal successfully launched Estonia’s first integrated pathology information system.

    Service

    Data and AI

    Industry

    Government

    In May 2025, Tartu University Hospital and Nortal successfully launched Estonia’s first integrated pathology information system. The new module, part of the hospital’s eLaboratory platform, has already accelerated diagnostics, improved interdepartmental collaboration, and streamlined laboratory workflows.

    The challenge in pathology

    Pathology plays a critical role in accurate diagnosis, particularly in cancer treatment. However, the field is facing an increasing workload and complex processes, ranging from collecting tissue samples to issuing results, often hampered by manual steps, fragmented data systems, and human error.

    Prior to the new module, pathology services across five hospitals (Tartu University Hospital, Põlva, Valga, South Estonia, and Viljandi) relied on separate workflows and accounts. This not only created inefficiencies but also made it harder to track test materials, monitor bottlenecks, and maintain quality assurance.

    Dr. Margus Reimann, Head of Pathology at Tartu University Hospital

    “The pathology department can now manage the entire examination process more efficiently, from collecting material from patients to issuing and archiving results. Automated workflows reduce manual work, save time, and reduce the risk of errors.”

    Making pathology digital

    Nortal collaborated with Tartu University Hospital to create a fully integrated pathology module within the existing eLaboratory information system — marking the first of its kind in Estonia.

    Key features include:

    • Integrated order management across all five hospitals, eliminating the need for separate accounts.
    • Automated workflows, including automatic printing of tissue cassettes and slides.
    • Real-time process tracking for each test, from collection to reporting.
    • Comprehensive quality assurance, documenting every interaction with patient test material.
    • Paperless operations, removing more than 31,600 sheets of paper annually. That means saving at least two trees a year and therefore a significant boost in efficiency.

    By the numbers

    30

    New computer workstations

    200+

    Orders tested end-to-end

    31k+

    Sheets of paper eliminated every year

    The benefits in practice

    The pathology module went live in spring 2025, and its impact has been immediate and measurable:

    • Faster diagnostics: Real-time monitoring shortens turnaround times for critical pathology tests.
    • Improved collaboration: Consolidated results from joint laboratory, genetic, and pathology tests into a single report.
    • Fewer errors: Automated labelling and tracking reduce manual handling mistakes.
    • Environmental benefits: Eliminated paper referrals, including for emergency surgeries, contributing to sustainability goals.
    • Scalable adoption: The system now serves five hospitals, supporting a growing annual workload of ~110,000 paraffin blocks and ~203,000 histological/cytological preparations.

    Meelika Kuningas, IT Project Manager at Tartu University Hospital

    “The pathology service can now pinpoint bottlenecks, accelerate processes, and have a real-time overview of every test’s progress. It’s a transformation in how we manage one of the hospital’s most critical services.”

    Tartu University Hospital has taken a decisive step toward completely digitizing pathology services in Estonia by implementing the pathology module. The platform is designed for scalability and continuous improvement, laying the groundwork for future AI-assisted diagnostics and advanced analytics.

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