Core components of a comprehensive quality assurance program in anatomic pathology.
In this article the core components of a comprehensive quality assurance and improvement plan are outlined. Quality anatomic pathology work comes with focus on accurate, timely, and complete reports. A commitment to continuous quality improvement and a systems approach with a persistent effort helps to achieve this end. Departments should have a quality assurance and improvement plan that includes a risk assessment of real and potential problems facing the laboratory. The plan should also list the individuals responsible for carrying out the program with adequate resources, a defined timetable, and annual assessment for progress and future directions. Quality assurance monitors should address regulatory requirements and be organized by laboratory division (surgical pathology, cytology, etc) as well as 5 segments (preanalytic, analytic, postanalytic phases of the test cycle, turn-around-time, and customer satisfaction). Quality assurance data can also be used to evaluate individual pathologists using multiple parameters with peer group comparison.
Nakhleh
Raouf E
RE
Department of Pathology, Mayo Clinic Florida, Jacksonville, 32224, USA. Nakhleh.raouf@mayo.edu
D019411:Clinical Laboratory Techniques / Q000592:standards; D003258:Consumer Behavior; D006801:Humans; D010338:Pathology, Clinical / Q000592:standards*; D010340:Pathology, Surgical / Q000592:standards*; D018024:Peer Review, Health Care; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D011786:Quality Control; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000592:standards