Cloud-native. AI-powered. Patient-focused.
Quartech partnered with the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA) to deliver an AP Digital Pathology proof-of-concept: a secure, cloud-native platform that connects lab sites across British Columbia to enable faster diagnostics, real-time image sharing, and AI-powered workflows.
This groundbreaking initiative brought PHSA’s Digital Pathology Reference Architecture to life, laying the foundation for a future, province-wide deployment of digital diagnostics.
Legacy diagnostic workflows required physical slide shipping between labs, delaying diagnoses by 2 to 4 days. The vision for cloud-based diagnostics and AI was out of reach due to disconnected systems, on-premises infrastructure, and limited interoperability.
This solution is built entirely in the cloud using Amazon Web Services (AWS), allowing for a modern, flexible, and reliable foundation. It supports high volumes of lab data, connects seamlessly across regions, and is built to scale with the province’s needs. Cloud-native tools ensure fast performance, strong security, and simplified management, helping labs focus more on diagnostics and less on infrastructure.
Designed with interoperability at its core, the platform uses healthcare standards like FHIR and DICOM to connect systems and labs. It also enables secure testing of AI diagnostics tools, helping to explore future clinical use safely. Every layer is built with strong security in mind, aligning with PHSA policies and FIPPA requirements. Agile development and automated DevOps pipelines allow for rapid improvements, ensuring the system evolves alongside the needs of healthcare teams.
Quartech collaborated closely with PHSA and clinical teams across BC to ensure the solution met both technical and diagnostic needs. We:
The initiative included a cloud-hosted AI inference layer built with Amazon SageMaker and ECS, enabling labs to test AI models securely and lay the groundwork for trusted AI use in diagnostics.
Real-Time Validation for Future Impact
This initiative has successfully demonstrated the potential to transform diagnostic workflows across B.C. A unified digital platform connected six major lab sites—Vancouver General Hospital, Surrey Memorial, BC Cancer, and St. Paul’s. Early testing showed turnaround times could be reduced from days to minutes, and secure AI model validation was supported to explore safe clinical use in the future. Developed in close collaboration with lab managers, pathologists, and provincial cloud teams, the initiative has established a scalable blueprint to guide future province-wide adoption.
Overcoming Barriers to Modernization
Implementing new technology in healthcare isn’t easy, but Quartech helped make it possible. Many labs across B.C. weren’t ready for cloud adoption, so we supported the transition with flexible, scalable solutions. We also worked closely with clinicians to build trust and understanding through targeted education and hands-on engagement. By navigating the complexities of working with multiple vendors and aligning with evolving provincial cloud policies, we helped ensure a smoother, more coordinated path to success.
Why Quartech?
We’re more than just a service provider — Quartech is your all-in-one digital health partner. From architecture and development to integration and security, we deliver end-to-end solutions for real-world healthcare environments. With proven success across B.C. Health Authorities, we bring deep expertise in healthcare standards like FHIR and DICOM. Our AWS-certified team specializes in secure, scalable cloud solutions built for clinical impact. Proudly Canadian, we’re locally rooted and federally aligned—committed to advancing digital health nationwide.
