National audit of women with abnormal cervical smears in New Zealand.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the follow-up of women with abnormal cervical smears identified by the National Cervical Screening Programme (NCSP) in New Zealand.


METHODS
Survey and clinical audit.


METHODS
The study took place in New Zealand.


METHODS
The population included women aged 20-69 years enrolled on the NCSP with first abnormal smear recorded in 1999.


METHODS
Participants were interviewed, and clinical data collected from the NCSP-register, and from clinicians.


RESULTS
The overall response rate was 57%. The proportions of women whose initial assessment, treatment or follow-up fell outside recommended times were between 17 and 35%. Of women with high-grade smears, 72% underwent a treatment procedure. Of these, 91% were excision biopsies, 6% hysterectomies and 4% ablation procedures. Approximately 10% of women had persistent or recurrent abnormalities at 6 and 12 months after treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
Overall, results were largely reassuring, but limited by the low response rate. Most women were managed within current clinical guidelines. Areas requiring improvement were identified, in particular in relation to longer than recommended waiting times for assessment and treatment.
Sarfati
Diana
D
Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Otago Medical School, Dunedin, New Zealand.
Cox
Brian
B
Jones
Ronald W
RW
Sopoaga
Tai
T
Rimene
Christine
C
Paul
Charlotte
C
D000328:Adult; D003127:Colposcopy; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007044:Hysterectomy; D008485:Medical Audit; D008875:Middle Aged; D009520:New Zealand; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D014626:Vaginal Smears; D002578:Uterine Cervical Dysplasia / Q000175:diagnosis