Quality management in gynecologic cytology using interlaboratory comparison

Objective.-To describe a comprehensive integrated laboratory quality manage ment plan for gynecologic cytology. Design and Setting.-Cytopathology laboratory performance monitors with inte rlaboratory comparison. Results.-Utilizing College of American Pathologists Q-Probes studies, the C ollege of American Pathologists Interlaboratory Comparison Program in Cervi covaginal Cytology, and other published data, a quality management program for gynecologic cytology involving diagnostic statistics, screening limits and competency assessment, retrospective rescreening, real-time rescreening , cytology-biopsy correlation, follow-up of patients with abnormal cytology results, turnaround time, examination of unknown slides (survey programs), and new technology is described. Conclusion.-Regular coordinated monitoring of performance, with longitudina l and interlaboratory comparison utilizing the methods described, provides an opportunity to optimize gynecologic cytology service.