Embodiments of the invention provide techniques for using digital imaging and networked communications in clinical hematology. An Area of Interest (AOI) on a slide is determined. A high resolution image of the AOI is analyzed for sample integrity and adjusted and rescanned based on programmable parameters. Sensitive HIPAA information is removed from the AOI image stored on a server. The server includes Web 2.0 software applications. A remote user reviews the image and adds metadata to the server. The server manages the work flow between the stored AOI images and the available users. A technician accesses information about a particular image file, as well as other topics, through knowledge management and social network applications. Lab reports are generated based on the metadata. The quality of the metadata is subject to quality control processes. The stored images and associated metadata can be mined for subsequent medical research.