Anatomical Pathology
The RCPAQAP Anatomical Pathology discipline offers programs in the areas of diagnostic and technical proficiency of histopathology laboratories.
Diagnostic survey cases are selected to demonstrate either classical histological features of a disease process, common disease processes observed in routine pathology laboratories or critical disease processes of educational value to participants.
Technical survey cases are selected on similar criteria of classical, common or critical features to be demonstrated by routine methods in the laboratory.
The diagnostic proficiency programs offer enrolments for laboratories, individual pathologists and trainees. Laboratories requiring participation in a technical external proficiency testing program for Australian accreditation may enrol in the technical and immunohistochemistry programs. Each program has an Advisory Committee which is overseen by a convening pathologist.
The Anatomical Pathology Programs Safety Data Sheet (SDS) can be accessed here.
ALK Translocation for non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC)
Proficiency testing for laboratories staining ALK immunohistochemistry. Proficiency testing for laboratories interpreting ALK translocation.
Catalogue Number
13020102Frequency (No of surveys/year)
1Cases/samples per survey
1Sample Type
Unstained formalin fixed paraffin sections comprising of composite tissue block to be stained/processed/interpreted for ALK.Schedule
FebruaryMeasurand/Test
ALK IHC, ALK FISH, ALK MolecularStorage and Handling
Room temperatureAdditional Comments
In conjunction with the RCPAQAP Molecular Genetics Discipline, this program consists of the following selectable modules: Immunohistochemistry ALK staining for technical and interpretation proficiency; ALK FISH interpretation proficiency and ALK Molecular techniques interpretation proficiency.
Product details last updated on August 12, 2021
Breast Diagnostic
Proficiency testing for laboratories and pathologists reporting breast pathology. Educational resource for other laboratories/trainees.
Catalogue Number
13040102Frequency (No of surveys/year)
1Cases/samples per survey
10Sample Type
Stained sections are provided as virtual microscope slide images in the myQAP portal. USBs can be purchased separately.Schedule
MarchMeasurand/Test
Breast HistopathologyProduct details last updated on August 20, 2020
Brightfield ISH (BRISH) Technical Program
Proficiency testing for laboratories performing brightfield in situ hybridisation. Modules can be purchased separately. HER2 for breast and gastric cases will be offered annually. Additional ISH programs will be rotated on an annual basis. In 2022 the additional modules offered are Kappa and Lambda Light Chain in situ hybridisation.
What's new
New modules
Catalogue Number
13250102Frequency (No of surveys/year)
1Cases/samples per survey
1Sample Type
Unstained formalin fixed paraffin sections comprising of composite tissue block.Schedule
MayMeasurand/Test
HER2 BRISH Breast, HER2 BRISH Gastric, Kappa Light Chain ISH, Lambda Light Chain ISHStorage and Handling
Room temperatureProduct details last updated on August 3, 2021
Dermatopathology Diagnostic
Proficiency testing for laboratories and pathologists reporting dermatopathology. Educational resource for other laboratories/trainees.
Catalogue Number
13050102Frequency (No of surveys/year)
1Cases/samples per survey
10Sample Type
Stained sections are provided as virtual microscope slide images in the myQAP portal. USBs can be purchased separately.Schedule
MarchMeasurand/Test
Skin HistopathologyProduct details last updated on July 31, 2020
Electron Microscopy Diagnostic
Proficiency testing for laboratories and pathologists reporting transmission electron microscopy. Educational resource for other laboratories/trainees.
Catalogue Number
13060102Frequency (No of surveys/year)
1Cases/samples per survey
3 (educational case may be included)Sample Type
Electron micrographs are available in the myQAP portal. USBs can be purchased separately.Schedule
SeptemberMeasurand/Test
Transmission Electron MicroscopyAdditional Comments
EM diagnostic and technical modules continue to be separate enrolments in 2022
Product details last updated on August 3, 2021
Electron Microscopy Technical
Proficiency testing for laboratories processing transmission electron microscopy specimens.
Catalogue Number
13070102Frequency (No of surveys/year)
1Cases/samples per survey
2Sample Type
Lab practice and artefact identification survey. Submission of Electron Micrographs prepared by the laboratorySchedule
SeptemberMeasurand/Test
Transmission Electron Microscopy techniquesAdditional Comments
EM diagnostic and technical modules continue to be separate enrolments in 2022
Product details last updated on August 3, 2021
Fluorescence in-situ Hybridisation (FISH) Diagnostic
Proficiency testing for laboratories reporting solid tumour fluorescence in-situ hybridisation. A different probe is tested each year (Bcl-6 in 2022).
Catalogue Number
13310101Frequency (No of surveys/year)
1Cases/samples per survey
1Sample Type
Unstained formalin fixed paraffin sections to be stained and interpreted for Bcl-6 FISH probe. Virtual H&E and Bcl-6 immunohistochemistry will also be available to assist with interpretation separately.Schedule
AprilMeasurand/Test
Bcl-6, FISH.Product details last updated on August 3, 2021
Forensic Diagnostic
Proficiency testing for laboratories and pathologists reporting forensic pathology. Educational resource for other laboratories/trainees.
Catalogue Number
13080102Frequency (No of surveys/year)
1Cases/samples per survey
10Sample Type
Stained sections are provided as virtual microscope slide images in the myQAP portal. USBs can be purchased separately.Schedule
MarchMeasurand/Test
Forensic PathologyProduct details last updated on July 31, 2020
Gastrointestinal Diagnostic
Proficiency testing for laboratories and pathologists reporting gastrointestinal pathology. Educational resource for other laboratories/trainees.
Catalogue Number
13090102Frequency (No of surveys/year)
1Cases/samples per survey
10Sample Type
Stained sections are provided as virtual microscope slide images in the myQAP portal. USBs can be purchased separately.Schedule
JulyMeasurand/Test
Gastrointestinal HistopathologyProduct details last updated on August 20, 2020
General Diagnostic
Proficiency testing for laboratories and pathologists reporting routine Anatomical Pathology. Educational resource for trainees.
Catalogue Number
13100102Frequency (No of surveys/year)
3Cases/samples per survey
10Sample Type
Stained sections are provided as virtual microscope slide images in the myQAP portal. USBs can be purchased separately.Schedule
February, May, SeptemberMeasurand/Test
General HistopathologyProduct details last updated on August 20, 2020
Gynaecology Diagnostic
Proficiency testing for laboratories and pathologists reporting gynaecological pathology. Educational resource for other laboratories/trainees.
Catalogue Number
13110102Frequency (No of surveys/year)
1Cases/samples per survey
10Sample Type
Stained sections are provided as virtual microscope slide images in the myQAP portal. USBs can be purchased separately.Schedule
AprilMeasurand/Test
Gynaecological PathologyProduct details last updated on August 20, 2020
HER2 Brightfield ISH (BRISH) Breast Diagnostic
Proficiency testing for individual pathologists who are involved in the diagnostic interpretation of results for HER2 BRISH testing in breast cancer
Catalogue Number
13320102Frequency (No of surveys/year)
2Cases/samples per survey
6Sample Type
Stained sections of H&E, HER2 IHC and HER2 BRISH slides are provided as virtual microscope slide images in the myQAP portal. USBs can be purchased separately.Schedule
March, AugustMeasurand/Test
Single probe or Dual probe HER2 BRISH for breast cancer interpretationProduct details last updated on August 12, 2021
