A primary goal for UChicago Medical Laboratories is to provide clear, comprehensive information in the most effective way possible for patient care. Our Pathology Informatics section is devoted to the practice of turning data into useful information for process and quality improvement across all anatomic, clinical, and molecular pathology laboratory sections.

By exploiting historical communication gaps, we have been able to use digital imaging, process analysis, quality assessment, and numerous other techniques to improve daily communication between laboratories, and to enhance the understanding of laboratory results and ordering among our clinicians. It is estimated that 70 percent of objective information used in the management of patients comes from pathology laboratories, thus emphasizing the critical importance of pathology informatics.

Static and dynamic digital imaging endeavors in the anatomic pathology laboratories have provided a means for our pathologists to communicate more effectively with each other and in enhanced ways with clinical colleagues. Process analysis in the clinical pathology laboratories has contributed to vast automation and consolidation improvements. Bioinformatics and laboratory information system development in the molecular pathology laboratories have been both innovative and influential in recent years.

Statistical dashboard development across all laboratory sections has assisted with vital improvement in core competencies such as turnaround time and critical value reporting. The Pathology Informatics section is determined to transform our patients and clients into engaged consumers who are both educated and empowered through increased access to medical information at a cost that is both outcome focused and service oriented.

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