Pathologists and their staff are important members of your healthcare team, although most of the laboratory’s involvement in your care is often ‘behind the scenes’.

Your doctor relies on pathology testing to help in diagnosis of disease and to monitor the response to treatment. Your doctor may also consult with a pathologist for advice on clinical symptoms, which tests to order and for interpretation of the results of complex testing.

So how do you and your doctor know that the pathology test results are correct?

Pathology is one of the most regulated areas of medicine. There are many processes in place to ensure that laboratories produce reliable results. These processes and checks have been put in place by the federal government, professional organisations and individual laboratories themselves to ensure quality standards are maintained.