Quality indices in a cervicovaginal cytology service: before and after laboratory accreditation

Quality assurance practices contribute to the effectiveness of cervical screening and are formalized by participation in a laboratory accreditation program. To identify changes in the quality indices of our cervicovaginal cytology service preceding and following laboratory accreditation by the College of American Pathologists in 2000. Cervicovaginal cytology quality indices for 2001 (postaccreditation) were compared with those of 1997 (preaccreditation). Performances in the College of American Pathologists Interlaboratory Comparison Program in Cervicovaginal Cytology (PAP) for the years 1999-2002 were analyzed. A comparison between data for 1997 and 2001 shows the following: (a) a higher inadequacy rate (1.3% vs 0.7%; P