Corporate History

In 1994 six Ontario private sector laboratories collaborated in the formation of INSCYTE Corporation for the explicit purpose of creating an advanced and automated computerized electronic medical record of cervical cytology results.

INSCYTE Corporation is a not for profit organization and was founded by:

• Dynacare Laboratories
• Excel Bestview Laboratories
• FML Medical Laboratories
• Gamma North Peel Laboratory
• MDS Laboratories,
• Med-Chem Laboratories.

Artificial Intelligence In Medicine Inc., a Toronto based software engineering firm specializing in informatics for healthcare was contracted to develop the information system, subsequently named CytoBase. The conceptual design and specifications for the system were developed with the participation of experts from the laboratory industry, the Ontario Cancer Treatment and Research Foundation, legal advisors and the Ontario Ministry of Health. The initial designs were developed in 1994, full scale development commenced in 1995 and CytoBase become operational on June 1, 1996.

In 1998 CancerCare Ontario (formerly the Ontario Cancer Treatment and Research Foundation) became a member and has been actively interested in the epidemiological aspects of data stored in CytoBase and as well in the development of the provincial cervical screening program.

Since 1996 the consolidation of the laboratory industry has reduced the number of laboratories so that by 2000 there were three participants:

• Gamma Dynacare Laboratories
• MDS Laboratories
• Canadian Medical Laboratories (joining in 1999).

It is estimated that in 2000 approximately 85% of the 1.5 million screening cervical cytology tests performed in Ontario were being registered in CytoBase. It is believed to be one of the largest databases of its kind in Canada.

CytoBase is highly automated, registering close to 5,000 reports per day. A quality control process ensures the accuracy of the data. Strict confidentiality guidelines safeguard the privacy of the information in the system.