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Today Congressman Bill Posey (R-Rockledge) toured Holmes Regional Medical Center to experience the role that laboratory testing plays in patient care. Congressman Posey was greeted and given a tour of Holmes Regional Medical Center’s state-of-the-art pathology laboratory facilities by Dr. Carl Smedberg, MD, FCAP, who practices forensic, clinical and anatomic pathology with Space Coast Pathologists, P.A., and serves as Co-Medical Director of the hospital’s laboratory.  

“My visit with Holmes Regional Medical Center was very informative and it was interesting to see firsthand how tests are conducted,” said Congressman Posey.  “Getting the right diagnosis on a disease is critical in helping doctors and patients determine what’s wrong and what treatment options are available to them. Pathologists play a critical role in improving patient care.”

The tour focused on the function of pathologists in health care, and included a demonstration of how pathologists use cutting-edge technology, automation and laboratory tests to screen for cancer and precancerous lesions. “It’s amazing how automation is incorporated with hands on expertise to improve the speed and accuracy of test results,” added Posey.

Of particular interest was a discussion regarding the physician self-referral issues, as well as the growth of personalized health care and a need to preserve the important role pathologists can play as a diagnostic consultant for patient care.

“The tour demonstrated how the laboratory’s role is a vital component of patient care from diagnosis to treatment.  Using state-of-the-art technology, pathologists can look at individual specimens and laboratory tests, provide a rapid diagnosis, and help guide patient treatment, often without any surgical intervention at all,” said Dr. Smedberg. “We are honored that Representative Posey would take time out of his busy schedule to visit our laboratory.”