Referrals

The professional component of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at Fletcher Allen provides diagnostic evaluation of cytologic and histologic tissue specimens.  Facilities operate around the clock. Pathologists and individual technologists are available for consultation at all times.  A broad spectrum of subspecialty expertise and research interests are represented by the pathologists in the group.  Almost 1,000 different test procedures are available on a routine and emergency basis for both inpatients and outpatients throughout the region.

• The Clinical Chemistry Division provides "state-of-the-art" testing on a variety of body fluids.  The procedures range from general chemistries to prenatal screening for fetal neural tube defects and Down's syndrome. The lab also provides testing for endocrine disorders, therapeutic drug monitoring and toxicology, as well as special electrophoretic procedures for the identification of abnormal proteins and hemoglobins.

• The Hematology Division employs a variety of morphologic and histochemical techniques are for the evaluation of cellular elements of the blood and bone marrow. Cytogenetics, electron microscopy, flow cytometry and molecular diagnostic studies sometimes are required, and these facilities are available.  Studies of blood coagulability and hemostasis are carried out in this division.

• The Immunopathology Division offers a wide variety of test procedures to assess autoimmune diseases, hematopoietic neoplasms, infectious diseases, and immunodeficiency states, including AIDS.  Histocompatibility testing for renal and bone marrow transplants and evaluations of cellular immunity are routine test procedures provided in this laboratory.

• The Blood Bank provides blood and blood components, not only for patients from the routine medical and surgical services, but also for those in the regional renal dialysis and transplant programs. In cooperation with the hematology and oncology service, the Blood Bank is an active participant in an expanding program of peripheral stem cell transplantation. In addition, the Blood bank operates an autologous blood donor program.

• The Microbiology Division isolates and identifies bacteria, fungi, mycobacteria, parasites, and viruses. Contemporary test procedures offered by this laboratory include rapid viral diagnosis, specialized antimicrobial susceptibility testing, and molecular diagnosis of sexually transmitted disease.

• The Cytogenetics Laboratory performs chromosome analyses (karyotyping) and FISH (fluorescence in situ hybridization) testing of amniotic fluid, blood, bone marrow, and tissue samples for cases of constitutional chromosome anomalies or oncological changes.

• The Anatomical Pathology Laboratories are responsible for the diagnostic evaluation of tissues by cytology, histology, electron microscopy and immunocytochemistry.  Staff pathologists are also available to perform fine needle aspirates and frozen section consultations.

• The Neuropathology Service offers sophisticated diagnostic evaluations of nerves and muscles as well as more routine autopsy and surgical neuropathologic procedures.

• The Autopsy Service offers a full range of diagnostic studies, including pediatric and neuropathology, for both outpatients and inpatients, at no charge to the family or physician.  The autopsy can assist in establishing a cause and manner of death, identifying the presence of heritable or familial disorders, and detecting diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer's disease and premature atherosclerosis. Consultation with families is available upon request at no charge.

• The Microscopy Imaging Center is responsible for electron microscopic imaging of kidney, nerve and muscle biopsies, as well as soft tissue tumors. Computer-assisted image analysis is performed on sural nerve biopsies.

• The Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory conducts a variety of clinical fee-for-service tests in molecular pathology and inherited disease factors, including DNA analysis for both neoplastic and non-neoplastic conditions.  This lab also serves as a core laboratory for teaching and research using state-of-the-art molecular methodologies.

For blood testing laboratory locations and hours, please click here.