Departmental audit in surgical anatomical pathology.
Internal auditing of performance by pathology providers is a necessary component of total quality management. In this study a peer review of 10% of departmental surgical anatomical pathology accessions received over a seven month period was performed. A number of critical performance parameters were analysed including turn-around times, accuracy of reports and technical proficiency. The results demonstrated an approximate 2% significant error rate in macroscopic and microscopic descriptions, technically good quality sections and stains and generally satisfactory turn-around times. The value and costing of such an audit and changes initiated by the audit are discussed.
Hocking
G R
GR
Department of Pathology, Box Hill Hospital, Victoria, Australia.
Niteckis
V N
VN
Cairns
B J
BJ
Hayman
J A
JA
D003951:Diagnostic Errors / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008485:Medical Audit / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods; D010340:Pathology, Surgical / Q000592:standards*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013995:Time