Development of a technical external quality assurance scheme in non‐gynaecological cytology in UK

Abstract

Technical external quality assurance (EQA) schemes are well established for histopathology and cervical cytology but, to date, sadly lacking for diagnostic cytology (DC). This timely review redresses the balance by describing the development and evaluation of a technical EQA scheme for DC available to the UK, Europe and beyond.

Digital vs traditional: Are diagnostic accuracy rates similar for glass slides vs whole slide images in a non‐gynaecological external quality assurance setting?

“…In the UK, there is no organised approach for monitoring non‐gynaecological interpretive skills but several regional schemes operate as interlaboratory case exchange with peer review . Additionally, a technical scheme has been developed which is now administered by UK NEQAS . A slide‐based programme administered by the Indian Academy of Cytologists and operating for many years includes both gynaecological and non‐gynaecological cases.…”

External quality assurance in nongynecologic cytology: The Australasian experience

“…As a result, the majority of glass slide interpretive programs have been confined to local, small‐scale slide exchange systems and to our knowledge there are few reports of NG EQA systems in the literature. In England and Wales, several technical NG EQA projects have been reported to date, but again to our knowledge large‐scale interpretive programs appear to be lacking . The Indian Academy of Cytologists has run a laboratory‐based, interpretive slide‐based program since 2000.…”

“…In England and Wales, several technical NG EQA projects have been reported to date, but again to our knowledge large-scale interpretive programs appear to be lacking. 8,9,11 The Indian Academy of Cytologists 12 has run a laboratorybased, interpretive slide-based program since 2000. The program aims to circulate gynecologic cytology, general NG, and FNA slides.…”

Technical proficiency in cytopathology: assessment through external quality assurance

“…At a similar time that the Australasian technical module in cytopathology was established, the UKNEQAS commenced a pilot scheme to assess external quality assurance for non‐gynaecological cytology. The first pilot in the United Kingdom involved 35 laboratories, whereas 72 laboratories were included in the second pilot and it is now offered as an ongoing fee‐paying scheme with six rounds per year …”

“…The first pilot in the United Kingdom involved 35 laboratories, whereas 72 laboratories were included in the second pilot and it is now offered as an ongoing fee-paying scheme with six rounds per year. 14 The Australasian technical module was sent to laboratories in 20 countries and overall these were well accepted, although rates of returning stained slides and completed questionnaires were lower for overseas laboratories compared with those from Australia and New Zealand and this possibly relates to the optional nature of the surveys. External evaluation of routine technical aspects of their work, comparison with peers, and the opportunity to learn about preparation methods used by others, as well as a partial breakdown of diagnostic caseloads, was of interest.…”