title: Cytopathology laboratory improvement programs of the College of American Pathologists: Laboratory Accreditation Program (CAP LAP) and Performance Improvement Program in Cervicovaginal Cytology (CAP PAP).
abstract: Major programs of the College of American Pathologists (CAP) are directed toward improvement of laboratory practices through peer review, interlaboratory comparison, education, and development of practice standards and guidelines. Two programs provided to cytopathology laboratories, the Laboratory Accreditation Program and the Interlaboratory Comparison Program in Cervicovaginal Cytology, are dedicated to these laboratory improvement principles. In 1996, each of these programs served over 2100 laboratories that provide cytopathology services. This paper reviews the peer development, structure, and administration of the Laboratory Accreditation Program and the Interlaboratory Comparison Program in Cervicovaginal Cytology, focusing on recent and ongoing initiatives to enhance their contribution to continued improvement of gynecologic cytopathology laboratory practices.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, The University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita, USA.
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Nielsen
mesh_terms: D000068:Accreditation / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010338:Pathology, Clinical / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*; D012955:Societies, Medical / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*; D014481:United States; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D014626:Vaginal Smears / Q000592:standards*