The ASC/SIL ratio for cytopathologists as a quality control measure: a follow-up study.
Monitoring the relative frequency of the interpretations of atypical squamous cells (ASC) and squamous intraepithelial lesions (SIL) has been proposed as a quality control measure. To assess its value, an ASC/SIL ratio was calculated every 6 months for 3.5 years, and confidential feedback was provided to 10 cytopathologists (CPs). By using simple regression analysis, we analyzed the initial and final ASC/SIL ratios for individual CPs and for the entire group. The ratio was below the upper benchmark of 3:1 for all but 1 CP during every 6-month period. The ratio for all CPs combined showed a downward trend (from 2.05 to 1.73). The ratio for 6 CPs decreased, and for two of them the decrease was statistically significant. One CP showed a statistically significant increase in the ASC/SIL ratio. The decrease for some CPs likely reflects the salutary effect of confidential feedback and counseling.
Nascimento
Alessandra F
AF
Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
Cibas
Edmund S
ES
D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000379:methods*; D011786:Quality Control; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D002578:Uterine Cervical Dysplasia / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis*; D014626:Vaginal Smears / Q000592:standards*