title: Q-Probes studies in anatomic pathology: quality improvement through targeted benchmarking.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The Q-Probes program is a peer-comparison quality assurance service offered by the College of American Pathologists that was created in 1989.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To establish national benchmarks around a specific quality metric at a specific point in time in anatomic pathology (AP).
  
  
  METHODS
  Q-Probes are based on a voluntary subscription for an individual study. Hospital-based laboratories in the United States, Canada, and 16 other countries have participated. Approximately one-third of all Q-Probes studies address AP metrics. Each Q-Probes study has a primary quality indicator and additional minor indicators.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There have been 52 AP Q-Probes studies addressing process-, outcome-, and structure-related quality assurance issues. These Q-Probes studies often represented the first standardized national benchmark for specific metrics in the disciplines of cytopathology, surgical pathology, and autopsy pathology, and as such have been cited more than 1700 times in peer-reviewed literature. The AP Q-Probes studies that have been repeated over time demonstrate improvement in laboratory performance across an international spectrum.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Q-Probes program has produced important national benchmarks in AP, addressing preanalytic, analytic, and postanalytic factors in the disciplines of cytopathology, surgical pathology, and autopsy pathology. Q-Probes study data have been published, cited, and used in the creation of laboratory accreditation standards and other national guidelines.
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Pathology, St Joseph Mercy Health System, Ann Arbor, Michigan (Dr Tworek); the Department of Pathology, Rex Healthcare, Raleigh, North Carolina (Dr Volmar); the Department of Pathology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina (Dr McCall); the Surveys Department, College of American Pathologists, Northfield, Illinois (Ms Bashleben); and the Department of Pathology, State University of New York Downstate, Brooklyn (Dr Howanitz).
authors.forename: Joseph A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Tworek
authors.forename: Keith E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Volmar
authors.forename: Shannon J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: McCall
authors.forename: Christine P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Bashleben
authors.forename: Peter J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Howanitz
mesh_terms: D001344:Autopsy / Q000592:standards; D019985:Benchmarking / Q000266:history* / Q000592:standards; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049674:History, 21st Century; D006801:Humans; D007753:Laboratories / Q000266:history / Q000592:standards; D010338:Pathology, Clinical / Q000266:history* / Q000592:standards; D010340:Pathology, Surgical / Q000266:history / Q000592:standards; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012955:Societies, Medical; D014481:United States