Outreach Services
New England Pathology Associates (NEPA) is a leading anatomic pathology service provider. It co-owns histology and cytology laboratories with Mercy Medical Center, located in Springfield, MA. This innovative partnership permits direct pathologist management oversight of all technical operations, resulting in timely responses to both customers’ needs and a rapidly changing marketplace. It supports the pursuit of excellent quality control and rapid turn-around times for all outpatient specimens. The NEPA-Mercy partnership also facilitates the acquisition of state-of-the-art anatomic pathology technology.
NEPA provides regional outpatient services with subspecialty expertise in cytopathology and gynecologic, urologic, and gastrointestinal pathology.
Anatomic Pathology Outreach Services
- Dedicated regional courier services
- Dedicated client service personnel
- Rapid turnaround for diagnostic biopsies and PAP smears
- Patient report delivery options
- Patient insurance billing support service
- Clinical consultations available upon request
Gynecologic Pathology Services
- Routine processing of “Thin Prep” liquid-based PAP smears using computer-assisted screening equipment
- Automatic reflex testing for HPV on ASCUS PAP smears, upon request
- Cervical/endocervical biopsies compared and correlated with most recent PAP smear
- Gyn cytopathology reports generated 3 to 5 days from specimen pick-up
Gastrointestinal Pathology Services
- Routine processing of all biopsies with 24-hour turnaround time for the majority of cases
- Routine immunohistochemical studies for infectious and neoplastic diseases, including markers for hereditary colon cancer
- Second independent expert reading for dysplasia in Barrett’s esophagus and inflammatory bowel disease at no extra charge
- Review of liver biopsies upon request
- Bi-annual endoscopy staff in-service training program
- Pathologist availability for participation in clinical research studies
- Biopsies 90% reviewed/signed–out by fellowship trained pathologist
Urologic Pathology Services
Prostate Core Biopsies
- Collection and Processing:
- Convenient specimen collection boxes with minimal labeling requirement. Boxes pre-cut for up to 12 biopsies
- Second independent reading of all suspicious lesions
- Extensive sectioning for thorough evaluation of each biopsy
- Automated immunohistochemistry staining for basal cell and tumor antigens
- Pathology Reports:
- Clear and specific diagnoses (no additional charge for cases sent for consultation)
- Normal turnaround time is 48 hours
- Graphic report, including mapping of tumor within the prostate and Partin’s prognostic table, based on clinical stage, Gleason Grade and PSA levels
- Annual graphic statistical report depicting the frequency of positive biopsies compared to other NEPA urologist clients. (Upon request)
- Stat Turnaround Time
- 24-HOUR STAT turnaround time is available upon request.
- Accuracy of Results:
- NEPA pathologists have collectively reviewed over 30,000 prostate needle biopsies. Cases reviewed by national/international experts in prostate pathology have virtually always agreed with the original NEPA diagnosis
Urine Cytology:
UroVysion FISH testing is available for routine screening of patients with hematuria or history of bladder cancer. This technology provides for the earlier detection of bladder cancer in patients with hematuria on voided urine samples. This test must be specifically requested on urine samples submitted for routine cytology testing.
