Improving Quality in a Cytopathology Laboratory

Quality assurance in a cytopathology laboratory is achieved by involving all the parties that contributes to cytopathology procedures. Quality assurance measures start with the laboratory directors to the cytopathotechnologists at work. High-quality results are achieved when all the parties work together by following the Standard operation procedures failure to which quality is undermined. Laboratory directors in a cytopathology laboratory are responsible for risk analysis and management. Proper risk analysis techniques help the lab manager to identify the weak points among the technologists. Proper management involves giving out good guidelines or instructions on what should be done to solve the problems that have been identified. There is the need to accredit and comply with the international accepted policies and procedures and excellent documentation to help deal with malpractices. Modern health care has faced a revolution due to a variety of factors, some of which are: newest techniques in laboratory medicine, trained staff operating diagnostic medical laboratories and ultra-modern analytical equipment. A Quality Management System (QMS) has been suggested by the ISO 15189 International Standard, which if followed, can help sustain and improve the testing services offered by diagnostic laboratories, such as cytopathology laboratories. Cytopathology laboratories should only employ laboratory technologists have undergone through the recommended training and have licenses from the regulatory bodies. The staff members of cytopathology laboratory should follow the standard operating procedures. SOPs help in coming up with high-quality results.