Cytopathology
Cytopathology is the branch of pathology that deals with the cellular diagnosis of disease. The RCPAQAP Cytopathology discipline offers gynaecological (Conventional, ThinPrep and SurePath) and non-gynaecological (General and Fine Needle Aspiration) diagnostic proficiency testing programs for cytopathologists and cytologists and a technical proficiency testing program for cytology laboratories.
Gynaecological Cytopathology
Proficiency testing for laboratories, cytologists and pathologists reporting cervical cytopathology. Educational resource for other laboratories and trainees.
Glass slides are provided requiring return at the end of each survey:
Five conventional cervical smears per survey (GYN)
Five liquid-based cervical smears per survey (THP)
Five liquid-based cervical smears per survey (SUP)
Frequency / Number of samples
4 surveys / 5 cases per survey
Tests
Conventional gynaecological, Liquid-based ThinPrep gynaecological, Liquid-based SurePath gynaecological
Non-gynaecological Cytopathology
Proficiency testing for laboratories and pathologists reporting non-gynaecological cytopathology. Educational resource for other laboratories and trainees.
Stained preparations are provided as virtual microscope slide images on USB and available via the website.
Two non-gynaecological general virtual cases per survey (GEN)
Two non-gynaecological Fine Needle Aspiration virtual cases per survey (FNA)
Frequency / Number of samples
4 surveys / 2 cases per survey
Tests
Non-gynaecological General, Non-gynaecological Fine needle Aspiration
Performance Measures (AUS only)
For Australian laboratories only. Collection of data for NPAAC performance measures. These will continue in the current form in 2018. A new set of performance measures will also be developed to reflect the revised National Cervical Screening Program.
Frequency / Number of samples
2 data collections per year
Tests
Performance Measures
Technical Module
Proficiency testing for laboratories performing general cytopathology preparatory techniques.
Unstained alcohol fixed non-gynaecological specimen smears will be provided for Papanicolaou staining. A corresponding questionnaire will also be issued.
Frequency / Number of samples
1 survey / 1 exercise per survey
Tests
Cytopreparatory techniques. 2018 testing includes non-gynaecological specimen Papanicolaou staining.
