Pathology

There are three areas of pathology provided at Ochsner. Each evaluates what is happening at a cellular level to guide diagnosis and treatment. The three areas are:

• Anatomic pathology. In this subspecialty of pathology, oncologists and other health providers remove cells or tissue from part of your body during a type of surgical pathology known as a biopsy. To identify disease, an anatomic pathologist examines tissue samples taken during biopsies. Cancer and other diseases are detected through this branch of pathology.

• Clinical pathology. This specialty focuses on blood, urine and other bodily fluids. Using proven testing methods, clinical pathology experts detect diseases affecting organs such as the heart and liver.

• Transfusion medicine. Pathologists oversee Ochsner’s blood bank, ensuring compatibility prior to blood transfusion. Transfusion pathologists also separate blood into platelets, white or red blood cells, plasma or stem cells as necessary for any given patient.

Pathologists participate in multidisciplinary teams across Ochsner to create essential pathology reports.

A few medical teams our pathologists collaborate with include:

• Cardiovascular

• Dermatology

• Gastroenterology

• Oncology

• Organ transplantation

• Pediatrics

• Primary care

• Surgery

• Urology

Traditionally, pathologists relied on glass microscopes to detect disease. Technological advances are changing that. Today, digital technology allows Ochsner pathologists to consult other clinicians and diagnose disease with greater ease.

Previously, doctors mailed microscope slide samples for second opinions. Now, Ochsner pathologists digitize the slides and send them electronically. Other experts can then view the slides on a computer, giving instant second opinions from anywhere within Ochsner. This gives pathology immediate access to the dozens of multidisciplinary tumor boards that meet weekly. Digital capabilities also enable faster frozen section pathology, a practice in which pathologists give real-time advice to surgeons seeking a second opinion during surgical procedures.

Until recently, digital pathology was only approved for consultation purposes. Today, with approval of Ochsner’s Philips imaging system by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for primary diagnosis of disease, Ochsner’s pathology department is using digital pathology to diagnose disease.

Ochsner’s pathology team also helps push patient care forward by supporting Ochsner’s clinical research. From oncology to urology, endocrinology to rheumatology, pathologists work alongside other experts to validate the success of novel treatment methods and ensure specimens reach the proper destination.

The Ochsner pathology team includes an array of experts who focus on ensuring an accurate diagnosis every time. In addition to pathologists, our team members include:

• Clinical biologists

• Cytologist

• Histotechnicians/histotechnologists

• Medical technicians/technologists

• Microbiologists

• Pathologists’ assistants

At the foundation of our pathology program stands our quality team. These individuals help us maintain the highest standards, ensuring accurate results and continued accreditation. They test our equipment, investigate potential issues, train employees on best practices, stay updated on ever-changing standards and more.