Quality Management in Cytopathology

Course overview

Quality assurance is an essential component of laboratory operations. Cytopathology laboratories face unique challenges related to heavily manual and custom workflows in addition to high rates of ancillary testing and fragmented information technology systems. At the same time, there are unique opportunities to leverage quality data into systems improvement. This webinar will review mandated and nonmandated quality metrics and how they can be utilized in daily practice to monitor and optimize laboratory workflow and performance. This webinar will describe how quality metrics can be designed, implemented, and customized to individual laboratories, and elucidate new tools for automation that can enhance the efficiency, efficacy, and flexibility of system workflows. The webinar will utilize case-based discussions to highlight common sources of error and explore approaches and applications of quality tools. Christopher O'Conor, MD, PhD Assistant Professor Associate Medical Director of Quality in Cytopathology Vanderbilt University Medical Center Director of Cytology Tennessee Valley Healthcare System VA Hospital Assistant Professor, Department of Pathology, Microbiology, & Immunology Vanderbilt University Medical Center Nashville, Tennessee