title: Interinstitutional and interstate teleneuropathology.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Telemedicine has emerged as an efficient means of distributing professional medical expertise over a broad geographic area with few limitations to the various services that can be provided around the globe. Telepathology is particularly well suited to distributing subspecialty expertise in certain environments in an economical fashion, while preserving centers of excellence.
  
  
  METHODS
  After a decade of intrainstitutional teleneuropathology for intraoperative consultation, we expanded our practice to cross state lines and communicate between geographically and financially separate medical centers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The result was an effective means of distributing neuropathological expertise while at the same time preserving a professional center of excellence. While technical and legal (i.e., physician licensing) barriers were surmounted, expected and unexpected issues related to communication required commitment on the part of multiple individuals with diverse expertise and responsibilities.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Lessons learned from this successful venture can be used to facilitate future efforts in this ever-growing practical vehicle for distributing pathology subspecialty expertise.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
authors.forename: Clayton A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Wiley
authors.forename: Geoff
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Murdoch
authors.forename: Anil
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Parwani
authors.forename: Terry
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Cudahy
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.forename: Troy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Payner
authors.forename: Kim
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Springer
authors.forename: Terrence
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lewis