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Anatomic pathology
Anatomic pathology is about diagnosing disease through the examination of organs and tissue samples by using a microscope, or through molecular, biochemical or immunological means.
It differs from clinical pathology, where diseases are diagnosed through analyzing bodily fluids in a lab.
In anatomic pathology, a physician trained in pathology examines surgical specimens (e.g., from a biopsy). This contrasts from clinical pathology, where blood, throat cultures, and urine as sent to a lab for analysis to determine whether a patient either has or is at risk for several biological diseases.
The American Board of Pathology is one of the primary certification organizations for anatomic pathologists. To be certified in anatomic pathology, a physician must complete four years of medical school and three years of residency. To be certified in both anatomic and clinical pathology, a physician must do four years of residency.
Anatomic pathologists typically work in hospitals, and pathology in general is most times practiced in hospitals and academic medical centers, where research is being conducted.
Medicare Rules Tighten Anatomic Path Mark-ups
CEO SUMMARY: Effective on January 1, 2008, new rules take effect that restrict the circumstances under which physicians can mark up the anatomic pathology services provided to their patients. However, ambiguities in how the rules are written are likely to make the intent of the new rules …
Full Pathology Digitization Is Becoming Feasible
CEO SUMMARY: Advances in computer hardware, software and support systems such as scanners are bringing the era of full pathology digitization closer to reality. Last week, in San Diego, California, an enthusiastic crowd of several hundred gathered to learn how laboratories, hospitals, and…
Laboratory Error Results In Mistaken Mastectomy
CEO SUMMARY: In New York, because of a laboratory error and wrong diagnosis, a woman underwent a needless double mastectomy. In reporting the case, New York newspapers discovered another case of lab error and both women are suing the labs involved. Each case is a reminder that the public …
Heeding the Lessons of Market Competition
COMPETITION FOR LAB TESTING DOLLARS IS THROWING NEW CURVEBALLS at both clinical labs and pathology group packages. Failure to spot these developments and respond to them now will have swift financial consequences. In this issue of THE DARK REPORT, readers will notice how we’ve identified market th…
Path Group Closes Its Lab After GIs Do In-Clinic Lab
CEO SUMMARY: Kettering Pathology Associates of Kettering, Ohio, built a thriving outreach pathology business in this Dayton suburb before three gastroenterology groups either sent biopsy work out of state or built their own lab, and asked the pathologists to provide contracted professiona…
An Economic Perspective On Discounted PC Deals
CEO SUMMARY: By opening their own in-office pathology laboratories, specialist physicians are undermining a long-established referral relationship with the pathology profession. Pathologists are debating the merits of this market-based trend and its effect on their profession. However thi…
Quest South Florida Wins Governor’s Award for Quality
CEO SUMMARY: It’s an important milestone for the clinical laboratory profession. Quest Diagnostics Incorporated South Florida, based in Deerfield Beach, Florida, earned the 2007 Florida Governor’s Sterling Award for quality. This is only the second laboratory in this country to win a …
Are Feds Ready to Strike at TC/PC Arrangements?
CEO SUMMARY: Pathologists and laboratory directors will want to pay attention to the proposed rules published by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services on July 2, 2007. The document is a grab bag of proposals and rules that would significantly curb many common ancillary services a…
Siemens Acquires Dade, Builds IVD Powerhouse
CEO SUMMARY: In just 15 months, Siemens AG has pulled out its checkbook three times to spend more than $14 billion to acquire major in vitro diagnostics (IVD) companies. When it closes the purchase of Dade Behring, Siemens will be in the first rank of global IVD manufacturers. It has also…
Quest, LabCorp Slug It Out In Battle for Market Share
CEO SUMMARY: In reporting second quarter earnings, both Laboratory Corporation of America and Quest Diagnostics Incorporated discussed market developments. There were no surprises in the comments made by executives of both companies. Quest Diagnostics emphasized that it is hanging on to a…
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Volume XXXII, No. 14 – October 6, 2025
The Dark Report examines increasing healthcare costs for employers and how clinical labs can help those employers. Also, an in-depth case study shows how one hospital system regained its outreach program after originally ceding it to a national lab company, adding millions to the system’s bottom line.
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