Published in the Pontiac Journal on December 17, 2025.
Mélissa Gélinas
SHAWVILLE – Thanks to a $63,250 donation from the Pontiac Community Hospital Foundation (PCHF), technicians at Pontiac Hospital can now optimize their work with a new blood analyzer, the CellaVision DC-1. Powered by artificial intelligence technology, the device speeds up the blood analysis process and has been in operation since November.
“The CISSS de l’Outaouais is very pleased to have been able to fund this new tool using the donation received from the Pontiac Community Hospital Foundation,” said Camille Brochu, CISSSO communications advisor.
The CellaVision DC-1 is an intelligent microscope equipped with a high-quality digital camera that captures images of white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets observed on
a blood smear. The system provides a preliminary classification of the cells in approximately two minutes. Once this step is completed, a technician reviews and validates the cellular analysis.
This process allows for much faster reading and interpretation compared to traditional microscopy, which can take between five and 15 minutes. The blood smear images are transmitted electronically, eliminating the need to physically transport the slides.
According to Brochu, the device also contains a reference image library that helps identify ambiguous or difficult-to-classify cells. Users can also add their own images, further streamlining the process and reducing the need to consult reference books or online resources.
In addition, data can be shared with other centres equipped with the same device to obtain support when challenging cells are encountered.
Despite its many advantages, the system does have some limitations. Slide preparation standards are very strict, as the device requires perfectly prepared slides. The slides must
also be prepared manually, which can take additional time. An adjustment period will be required to ensure the reliability of this new technology.
