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Quality
Assurance Reference Centre
Pathology Groups
Special
advisory groups for pathology meet on a regular basis to discuss current
issues. It is an opportunity to exchange views and distribute information,
research and audit mechanisms, ensuring a region-wide approach. Regular
seminars are held where issues can be discussed and investigated These
may include such topics as:
| Modernising
pathology |
| EQA
Report |
| Invasive
cancer audit |
|
Other projects undertaken by the QARC include
| Dealing
with poor performance incidents |
| Interpretation
of national guidelines including recent ABC2 (Achievable
Benchmarks and Criteria for reporting cervical cytology) |
| Development
of a web based sample taker register |
| Initiation
of projects to look at supporting cervical screening coverage |
| Organisation
of a regional conference |
| Attendance
at national and international conferences and distribution
of appropriate information |
| Software
evaluation and advice (for Department of Health data collection) |
|
Introduction of new technology e g digital equipment and
images for quality assurance and training purposes |
| Advice
and overseeing of merged units, trusts, laboratories,
health authorities |
|
Appraisal of guidelines and quality standards from other
regions and other countries |
| Collection
and storage of reference material |
| Maintenance
of a website |
| Interpretation
of other Government Documents such as the Cancer Plan,
Organisation with a Memory, etc |
| ·
Links with training schools |
| Development
of a regional QA Guidance for Good Practice in Primary
Care manual |
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A dedicated team working in a consistent way throughout the region helps to ensure that quality assurance in the cervical screening programme will be effective and sustained.
References
Office for National Statistics, Monitor Population & Health, MB 1998/2
Sasieni et al. British Journal of Cancer. 1996, vol 73, 1001 - 1005
Miller AB. Cervical cancer screening programmes. Geneva; WHO, 1992.
Hakama M, Miller AB, Day NE. Screening for cancer of the uterine cervix.
Lyon: IARC, 1986 |
