Anatomic Pathology/Cytology

Anatomic Pathology

Anatomic Pathology is a multifaceted department offering surgical and anatomic pathology, autopsy pathology and frozen sections. The department provides state-of-the-art immunoperoxidase testing and utilizes outside consultations from experts in the field.

Specimen handling:

• All tissue specimens must be immediately transported to the Surgical Pathology Laboratory in either fresh state or in an appropriate container, with an adequate minimum fixative/specimen ratio of 10:1. Specimens must be accompanied by a requisition form.

• Small plastic screw-top containers pre-filled with

fixative are supplied by the Pathology Department. Only

1 specimen should be placed in a container. Containers are to be labeled appropriately with patient’s identification, specimen source, and date specimen is collected.

Minimal information includes:

• Patient identification

• Surgeon identification/submitting physician

• Specimen source (tissue, hardware, foreign bodies, etc.)

• Date of procedure

• Name of person writing requisition

Additional Information should include:

• Patient clinical history

• Preoperative diagnosis

• Operative findings

• Postoperative diagnosis

• Operative procedure

• Previous relevant specimens in this laboratory

Reports: A final sign-out report from the laboratory is a printed document, which is electronically signed by the staff pathologist who is responsible for its contents. This report is either printed in the Pathology Department for delivery to submitting physicians or reports are directly telecommunicated to the submitting physician.

Reporting Time: Final reports for biopsies are usually issued from the department within 1 to 2 working days after the receipt of specimen. Large or complex specimens may require a longer time due to special diagnostic procedures.


Cytology

Services include:

• GYN and non-GYN Pap smears

• Human papillomavirus (HPV) testing

• On-site fine-needle aspiration (FNA) preparation education for physician offices

• Rapid assessment of all inhouse FNAs performed on-site in the CAT Scan area

• Education on FNA collections for physician offices

Our Cytology Department performs over 30,000 Pap smears and unassociated HPV tests annually.