DEPARTMENTAL AUDIT IN SURGICAL ANATOMICAL PATHOLOGY

Internal auditing of performance by pathology providers is a necessary component of total quality management. In this study a peer review :b f 10% of departmental surgical anatomical pathology accessions receive d over a seven month period was performed. A number of critical perfor mance parameters were analysed including turn-around times, accuracy o f reports and technical proficiency. The results demonstrated an appro ximate 2% significant error rate in macroscopic and microscopic descri ptions, technically good quality sections and stains and generally sat isfactory turn-around times. The value and costing of such an audit an d changes initiated by the audit are discussed.