Pathology - more than just a blood test

(Inside Aotea, April 2010)

Dr Karen Wood, Aotea Pathology Chief Executive

You may be reading this edition of Inside Aotea while waiting for a test or maybe you’re on the bus on the way home after a test.

Wherever you are, we invite you to think past the test itself and consider your overall health care and the role Aotea Pathology plays in it -- because, yes, we are experts in testing, but when you come to see us, you get more -- much more -- than that.

Community pathology laboratories, such as Aotea Pathology, solve problems, interpret the results they get and help make diagnoses. Many of the decisions made by doctors, nurses and midwives about their patients’ care rely directly on information provided by the laboratory.

A simple blood test, for instance, can assist in the identification of disease; it can help determine the proper treatment regime and it can also be the numerical check that treatment is working as expected.

We also promote and educate for appropriate test selection. We advise your doctor on the best tests for a given situation. In other words, we advise on the right test for the right purpose and the ideal preparation for your testing.

We strive to ensure the best quality results are available to your health professional to optimise your care. We also play an important role in each patient’s complete cycle of care and, in the community, in helping facilitate good health and lessening the burden of ill health.

You can find further information on getting the most from a visit to Aotea Pathology inside this edition.