Page 22 - UHN Year In Review 2014-15: Patients As Partners In Care

Laboratory Medicine

Pathologist at the Bedside

Dr. Gilda da Cunha Santos, a pathologist with the Laboratory Medicine Program, says surgeons, clinicians, radiologists and other
healthcare providers “see the value of having a pathologist at the bedside as partners in care.” (Photo: UHN)

Usually the members of the pathologists investigate lumps or immediate impact on patient care.
Laboratory Medicine Program, masses in a patient by inserting a
including our team of pathologists, thin needle into the patient’s mass “If a patient comes in with an
work in the lab, far removed from the and collecting a small sample of cells. unusual lump or mass, we collect
patient. In contrast, in cytopathology a small sample look at the cells
(the name of a specific area of Our pathologists who specialize in through the microscope right there
anatomic pathology), the work and the procedure run a cytology clinic in the clinic and in many cases we
diagnosis is often done right at the at UHN and meet and diagnose already have information to give
patient’s side. patients every day. They are among to the patient and clinician – no
a very small and select group of waiting required,” explained Dr. Scott
Using a procedure called fine- pathologists in Canada who do this – Boerner, pathologist, Head of the
needle aspiration (FNA), our LMP and their decisions have a direct and Division of Cytopathology, LMP.

22 Patients as Partners in Care