MALPRACTICE IN GYNECOLOGIC CYTOLOGY - A NEED FOR EXPERT WITNESS GUIDELINES

The malpractice claims activity in anatomic pathology has sharply incr eased in recent years, On a relative and absolute basis, a leading are a of increase for claims is cervicovaginal (Pap smear) cytology. As ne ver before, pathologists are faced with the threat of litigation and a cting as defendants in medical-legal actions. Defending claims of malp ractice in Pap smear litigation can be difficult, The expert witness f or the plaintiff often performs a selective retrospective review of th e Pap smear of the plaintiff, compared with the screening examination performed by the defendant, In addition, it is unclear whether atypica l or dysplastic cells are within the standard of practice and should b e discovered by the Pap smear screener. A proposal for a forum to deve lop guidelines for expert witness testimony in Pap smear cytology is d iscussed.