Quality management in gynecologic cytology using interlaboratory comparison.
OBJECTIVE
To describe a comprehensive integrated laboratory quality management plan for gynecologic cytology.


METHODS
Cytopathology laboratory performance monitors with interlaboratory comparison.


RESULTS
Utilizing College of American Pathologists Q-Probes studies, the College of American Pathologists Interlaboratory Comparison Program in Cervicovaginal Cytology, and other published data, a quality management program for gynecologic cytology involving diagnostic statistics, screening limits and competency assessment, retrospective rescreening, real-time rescreening, cytology-biopsy correlation, follow-up of patients with abnormal cytology results, turnaround time, examination of unknown slides (survey programs), and new technology is described.


CONCLUSIONS
Regular coordinated monitoring of performance, with longitudinal and interlaboratory comparison utilizing the methods described, provides an opportunity to optimize gynecologic cytology service.
Jones
B A
BA
Department of Pathology, St John Hospital and Medical Center, Detroit, Mich. 48236, USA.
Davey
D D
DD
D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care; D003951:Diagnostic Errors / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005833:Genital Neoplasms, Female / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods* / Q000458:organization & administration; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology*; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014481:United States; D014626:Vaginal Smears / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data