Exploration of Quality Assurance for CLIA '88 Regulations in a Cytology Laboratory
Loading...
Issue Date
2013
Authors
Plowinske, Michele '13
Degree
MS in Cytotechnology and Molecular Cytology
Advisor
Balachandran, Indra
Committee Members
Wheeler, Elyse
Stein, Markus
Benson, Jenna
Stein, Markus
Benson, Jenna
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Abstract
In 1988 Congress passed the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA `88) establishing quality standards for all laboratory testing. This set of guidelines was put in place to ensure the accuracy, reliability and timeliness of all patient test results, regardless of where the test was performed.1 The CLIA `88 program is controlled by The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and is primarily funded by fees paid by its members.
The cytology laboratory meets the rules and regulations set by CLIA `88 in a variety of methods. One of the main methods is through quality assurance. Quality assurance (QA) refers to the general review of patient cases to make sure that the appropriate standards of care were followed. A common way of accomplishing QA is through cyto-histo correlations. Cytotechnologists will often rescreen abnormal cases to associate to the corresponding biopsy tissue. Documentation is kept in the laboratory once the level of concordance is determined. If there are major discrepancies, further action to improve the quality of diagnosis may be required.
Another major aspect of QA is continuing education through documented independent research. The field of cytotechnology is always advancing based on the latest technologies and trends. Exploration into the newest areas of cancer research must be done to allow the laboratory to stay up to date with providing the best patient care. Much of today's focus in cytotechnology is on a molecular level, and new discoveries are constantly being made. Another portion of continuing education can be completed through the review and critiquing of scientific literature. Journal article, magazines and other publications all hold information that is relevant to conducting QA. Although there are many more parameters, this study will focus on the details of cyto-histo correlations and continuing education and how these activities meet CLIA `88 requirements.
The cytology laboratory meets the rules and regulations set by CLIA `88 in a variety of methods. One of the main methods is through quality assurance. Quality assurance (QA) refers to the general review of patient cases to make sure that the appropriate standards of care were followed. A common way of accomplishing QA is through cyto-histo correlations. Cytotechnologists will often rescreen abnormal cases to associate to the corresponding biopsy tissue. Documentation is kept in the laboratory once the level of concordance is determined. If there are major discrepancies, further action to improve the quality of diagnosis may be required.
Another major aspect of QA is continuing education through documented independent research. The field of cytotechnology is always advancing based on the latest technologies and trends. Exploration into the newest areas of cancer research must be done to allow the laboratory to stay up to date with providing the best patient care. Much of today's focus in cytotechnology is on a molecular level, and new discoveries are constantly being made. Another portion of continuing education can be completed through the review and critiquing of scientific literature. Journal article, magazines and other publications all hold information that is relevant to conducting QA. Although there are many more parameters, this study will focus on the details of cyto-histo correlations and continuing education and how these activities meet CLIA `88 requirements.
Citation
Plowinske, Michele. "Exploration of Quality Assurance for CLIA '88 Regulations in a Cytology Laboratory." Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, New York, Proquest/UMI, 2013.
ACPHS Research Commons URI
Description
Click on the Resource Link for full text