Division of Gastrointestinal Pathology
An Allina Health System Affiliated Laboratory

Guiding Principles of the Division of Gastrointestinal Pathology

A definition of "diagnosis" in Dorland's medical dictionary is "the art of distinguishing one disease from another".  In our practice we take this to heart as we try to clearly indicate whether or not we feel a disease process is present and, if so, diligently attempt to distinguish one disease from another.  We do this by emphasizing interpretive expertise and careful clinical correlation. 

The former is accomplished through an ongoing in-house continuing medical education program in GI pathology for all of our members and providing easy access to expert interpretations for problem cases with our GI division directors.  The latter is accomplished by encouraging our clients to provide us pertinent clinical information along with the specimens, making personal contact with physicians when needed, and by associating with a clinical laboratory (Allina Medical Laboratories). 

We also attempt to go beyond a simple diagnosis when necessary by providing helpful comments about the various disease entities as we recognize that health care professionals other than specialists in GI diseases will be reading these reports.

Ultimately we feel the best measure of the quality of our tissue interpretation services is whether or not the right things happen to our patient. 

                                                                        -  Kenneth Batts, 2004