[Quality control of cytodiagnosis].
In the USA, an article of "Wall Street Journal" pointed out that there were many false negative cases in cytology of cervical smears in 1987. In the next year "Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988(CLIA'88)" was enforced. In CLIA'88 settled that 10% of negative cases must be reexamined and all slides were retained 5 years and so forth. In Japan, quality control of cytology is a problem to be established. Inaccurate diagnoses can be made due to simple mistakes like mistypes or misdiagnoses due to deficiency of ability. A manual to manage entire process of cytology is needed for quality control. It is impossible to prevent human error entirely; therefore, a system that prevents accidents due to human error is to be organized. The gold standard of cytological diagnoses is pathological diagnoses. Entire cytological and pathological records including slides and paraffin blocks must be maintained in hospitals for utilization for reference and consultation. While patients have a right to obtain certain information, the original medical record must be owned by the hospital or doctor.
Wakasa
Kenichi
K
Department of Pathology, Osaka City University Hospital, Osaka 545-8586.
D003581:Cytodiagnosis / Q000592:standards*; D011786:Quality Control