Medical laboratories, also known as pathology laboratories, run the tests used to identify medical problems or diagnose diseases. Some tests require body tissues, often obtained by office biopsy, during surgery, or by a Pap smear. Others require blood, urine, or other body fluids. In either case, the results are interpreted by a pathologist. The quality of your results will depend on whether your medical tests are evaluated by qualified personnel in an accredited pathology laboratory.
Some labs just meet the minimal standards set by the federal government.
To ensure that the lab that handled your tests is qualified, check to see if it is accredited by the College of American Pathologists. The specialist can further explain your condition and more thoroughly discuss treatment options with you. Board certification is an indication that doctors are highly trained in their fields. Doctors who specialize, such as cardiologists or oncologists, should be board-certified in those specialities. That means that they have completed a several years of training, have practiced in that specialty for a specified number of years, and have passed a comprehensive exam in that specialty area.