ANOTHER QUALITY ASSURANCE ISSUE - AMENDED REPORTS - WHAT DO WE REALLYKNOW ABOUT THEM

The Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendment (CLIA) of 1988 requires that if a cytology/histology discrepancy is discovered which is signif icant and affects patient care, an amended report should be issued (Cl inical Laboratory Improvement Amendments, Fed Reg 1992;57:7169). Since little is known about such amended reports, a survey was developed to assess how individuals handle discrepancies. The Quality Assurance Ta sk Force from the Papanicolaou Society of Cytopathology created a surv ey to assess these methods and sent it to all of their members. Fifty- one individuals responded to the survey. Methods vary widely among ins titutions. On average, 107 cytologic/histologic correlations are perfo rmed each month with the discovery of approximately 2 major and II min or discrepancies. Thirty-nine responders utilize written amended repor ts and telephone clinicians when a major discrepancy is found. Thirty- eight individuals indicated that their place of employment has a writt en policy concerning discrepancies. Time spent in quality assurance is sues averaged 8 hr per wk for cytotechnologists and 3 hr per wk for pa thologists. Although amended reports are required when significant dis crepancies are revealed, a standard practice does not exist. (C) 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.