title: Inadequate cervical cytology--the need to audit individual smear takers' inadequate rates.
abstract: In order to assess the performance of individual smear takers, their rates of inadequate smears, due to insufficient material, were monitored between 1992 and 1996. Although the yearly average clinic inadequate rates were all at acceptable levels, there was great variation of rates between smear takers, ranging from 0% to 19.5%. Identification of individuals with unacceptably high inadequate rates allowed them to undergo further training. Continuous monitoring of these inadequate rates can be used to measure levels of performance amongst all smear takers, but is particularly useful for new smear takers, or those who have required retraining.
authors.affiliation: Department of Genito-Urinary Medicine, General Infirmary at Leeds, UK.
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: French
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Branch
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sutton
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000166:cytology*; D002984:Clinical Laboratory Information Systems / Q000592:standards; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008485:Medical Audit / Q000592:standards*; D006113:United Kingdom; D014600:Utilization Review; D014626:Vaginal Smears / Q000592:standards*