Quality Management in Cytopathology PDF

Quality Management in Cytopathology Dr. Shadia Al Bahlani Introduction  Definition: Ensures reliable and consistent cytological results.  Key Aspects: 1. Quality Control (QC): Maintaining standards during operations. Preventive measures applied during operations. 1. Quality A...

Quality Management in Cytopathology Dr. Shadia Al Bahlani Introduction  Definition: Ensures reliable and consistent cytological results.  Key Aspects: 1. Quality Control (QC): Maintaining standards during operations. Preventive measures applied during operations. 1. Quality Assessment (QA): Retrospective evaluation for improvement. Post-procedure evaluations to identify improvement areas. Importance of Quality Management  Reduces diagnostic errors.  Enhances reproducibility and accuracy.  Improves patient care by ensuring reliable cytological evaluations. Components of Quality Management Stages of any test  Pre-analytical: Specimen collection, fixation, transportation.  Analytical: Screening and interpretation.  Post-analytical: Reporting, feedback, and clinical correlation.  memorize all Wikipedia Quality Control in Cytopathology  Routine activities to ensure slide preparation quality.  Methods: Stain consistency, calibration of equipment, maintenance logs. Quality Assessment in Cytopathology  Rescreening of negative cases.  Cytology-histology correlation.  QA audits and discrepancy analysis.betweenresult Total Quality Management (TQM)  Combines QC and QA into a unified approach.  Focuses on continuous improvement through feedback and monitoring. eitherinternally or externally Strategies for Effective Quality Management  Staff training and ongoing education.  Proficiency testing and inter-laboratory comparisons.  Use of standardized protocols and automation. Toredule Role of Technology in Quality Improvement  Automated systems like ThinPrep and SurePath.  AI and machine learning for error detection and analysis. Cytology Laboratory Workflow Fift  Sequential steps: Specimen receipt, preparation, um analysis, and reporting.  Integration of QC/QA checks at each stage. Documentation and Record Keeping  Importance of maintaining detailed records for QA.  Examples: Workload records, discrepancy logs, audit trails. Facilities and safety  Security: is the process of preventing unwanted risks and hazards from entering the laboratory space.  Containment: seeks to minimize risks and prevent hazards from leaving the laboratory space and causing harm to the community.  Safety: includes policies and procedures to prevent harm to workers, visitors and the community.  Work environment (Ergonomic): addresses facility and equipment adaptation to allow safe and healthy working conditions at the laboratory site.  Laboratory Quality Management System  Defined as: 1. Accuracy, 2. Reliability important very 3. Timeliness of reported test results.no  The laboratory results must be as accurate as possible.  Quality management is the continuing process whereby the laboratory ensures quality, maintains compliance with applicable laws, regulations and institutional policies, and purses quality improvement activities. Challenges in Cytopathology Quality  - Variability in specimen adequacy.  - Human factors: Fatigue, interpretation bias.  - Resource limitations in labs. Negative consequences of laboratory errors What are the consequences of providing inaccurate results? 1. unnecessary treatment 2. treatment complications 3. failure to provide the proper treatment 4. delay in correct diagnosis 5. additional and unnecessary diagnostic testing  Why do laboratory errors occur? Inadequate Attention To Detail Poor Understaffed Sample Control Poor Poor Results Workload Poor Quality Verification Management Management Quality Time Control & Pressures Assessment Non-validated Tests Minimizing laboratory error  It is essential to perform all processes and procedures in the laboratory in the best possible way.  The laboratory is a complex system, involving many steps of activity and many people.  This system requires a proper performance of the processes and procedures. Internal control  Each laboratory must document its procedures for internal audit which cover all its activities including: 1. A system of follow-up for correlating the results of gynecological cytology with relevant histopathology 2. A system within the laboratory for monitoring the performance of the laboratory as a whole and also the performance of individual screeners and pathologists 3. A review of past negative cytology smears from patients with current abnormal cytology/histology. Global Standards and Benchmarks  WHO guidelines for cytopathology labs.  Comparison of practices across regions (e.g., U.S., Europe, Asia).  NO memorizing ISO Family of QM Standards Industry 14000 9000 Environment Testing or Calibration 17025 Laboratory Clinical Laboratory 15189  Thank you If you have any questions or enquires please email me at: [email protected] Or through Whatsapp group.