Marquette General Health System’s Regional
Reference Laboratory has greatly expanded its Pap smear processing
capabilities for cervical cytology screens.
The reference laboratory has acquired a state-of-the-art,
computer-assisted screening system that facilitates the
performance of the ThinPrep Pap Test — a
cervical cancer diagnosing screening method that has become the gold
standard for patient care.
The MGHS lab is the only institution in Upper Michigan to provide Image-Directed
Cytology (IDC), and is the fourth institution in the nation to have both the
T3000 Thin Prep Pap Processor and Imager.
Combining advanced screening technology with human expertise, the Imaging
System provides digital enhancements of the ThinPrep Pap test — a
modality that is significantly more effective than the conventional Pap
smear for
the detection
of cervical lesions.
“We have acquired this technology because physicians and patients we serve
have grown to expect that we will provide them with the latest technological
advances available in medicine,” said John Rhoades, Laboratory Director
at Marquette General.
The dual screening approach, Rhoades stressed, increases sensitivity and improves
specificity over manual screening, further reducing the rate of false negatives.
Clinical trials found a 39 percent reduction in false negative readings with
the Imaging System.
“The Imager electronically marks the most significant fields of view on
the pap slide (based on biological markers associated with abnormal cells, i.e.,
increased nuclear DNA content and cell-crowding),” said Cathy Bammert,
Anatomic Pathology Section Head at Marquette General. “This enables
our cytotechnologists to focus their time and interpretative skills on
relevant cells.”
Added Dr. John Weiss, a board-certified anatomic and clinical pathologist
on staff at Marquette General: “Our regional reference laboratory
is committed to providing our patients with the finest technology to detect
early cervical
disease. This system allows us to do that.”
With IDC, a patient’s slides are first processed on the ThinPrep
Pap Processor that produces uniform, easy-to-read slides. The slides
are then
stained using a special, pre-formulated stain that allows measurement
of cellular DNA
content.
MGHS Cytotechnologist Craig Buyarski examines
a pap smear using a robotic
scope. (MGH photo)
Once stained, the slides move to the digitized
screening process. There, the Imaging System digitally scans
every
cell and cluster on the patient
slide
and electronically marks “areas of interest” for a cytotechnologist
to review.
The cytotech uses a robotic scope to review the marked fields of interest.
If abnormal cells are identified in any of the fields of view, the cytotech
will screen the entire slide before referring it to a pathologist for final
review.
According to Bammert, the new technology allows Marquette General to accept
additional Pap smear cases from all over the country.
“We provide rapid turn-around-time and highly competitive prices,” said
Bammert, adding that most insurance companies reimburse for the ThinPrep
Pap Test with Imaging.
A fully accredited, full-service clinical laboratory, the MGHS reference lab
features an ASCP-certified staff of cytotechnologists and pathologists to provide
the highest quality cytology services. The lab has served clients nationwide
for several years.
Women are encouraged to ask their physician to request a Thin Prep with Imaging
test at their next yearly gynecological exam.
For more information about the ThinPrep Imaging System available at Marquette
General, call Bammert at 225-7097, or 1-800-562-9753, ext. 7097. She can also
be contacted via email at cebammert@mgh.org.
