Rep. Luetkemeyer Tours Pike County Memorial Hospital Laboratory

Louisiana, MO – US Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-MO) today visited the laboratory at Pike County Memorial Hospital to experience the critical and expanding role laboratory testing plays in patient care. Representative Luetkemeyer was greeted and given a tour of Pike County Memorial Hospital’s state-of-the-art laboratory facilities by James R. Miller, MD, FCAP.

The tour focused on the important role of pathologists in health care, and included a demonstration of how pathologists use cutting-edge technology and laboratory tests to screen for cancer and precancerous lesions. Of particular interest was a discussion regarding the growth of personalized health care and preserving the important role pathologists can play as a diagnostic consultant for patient care.

Following the conclusion of the tour, Representative Luetkemeyer said, “Health care reform is a major priority for the 111th Congress and any subsequent policy developed in Washington, DC will dramatically impact the constituents of Missouri’s 9th Congressional district. It was fascinating to witness the different diagnostic tests conducted on a daily basis at Pike County Memorial Hospital. This facility visit provided me with a stronger understanding of pathology and the clinical laboratory and their growing role in the health care system.”

“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. Miller. We are honored that Representative Luetkemeyer would take time out of his busy schedule to visit our laboratory.”

Pike County Memorial Hospital has proudly served the residents of Pike County, Missouri with a tradition of quality health care since 1928. Pike County Memorial Hospital is a licensed acute care facility and is one of 35 Missouri hospitals with Critical Access status. The hospital provides extensive inpatient and outpatient services that include the latest technologies in radiology and vascular services, laboratory testing, surgery and physical therapy. The hospitals clinics include services in cardiology, orthopedics, podiatry, pulmonology and vascular medicine. A state of the art Emergency Department is manned 24-hours a day to serve the area. Pike County Memorial Hospital operates the ambulance service for the Pike County area. In addition to the services provided through the hospital, there are Eastern Missouri Health Services clinics located in Bowling Green and Louisiana that provide family health medical services to individuals in the community.