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The NPAAC Requirements for Cervical Cytology include assessment against a set of Performance Measures as part of the
external quality assessment process. The ‘Performance Measures for Australian Laboratories Reporting Cervical Cytology’ were developed by the Working Party on Quality Assurance in Cervical Cytology,
established under the aegis of the Advisory Committee to the National Cervical Screening Program. A member of the Cytopathology QAP Committee sat on the Working Party and the Performance Measures
data is collected and analysed by the Cytopathology QAP.
Performance Measures for Australian Laboratories reporting Cervical Cytology provide an inter-laboratory comparison
over a set of measures based on key quantitative data. Retrospective data is collected twice per year covering reporting profiles, such as the proportion of smears reported as unsatisfactory and
abnormal, and the results of slide reviews and histological follow-up. An annual report (issued in two parts) summarises individual laboratory data in comparison with the group (national) data and
recommended standards.
Performance Measures became mandatory from July 1, 1999 for Australian laboratories reporting cervical cytology. New
laboratories enrolling for the first time do not need to enrol for their first year as data is collected retrospectively. Laboratories no longer reporting cervical cytology but having data from the
previous year will be required to enrol in this module.
Data for the Measures (relating to specimens reported in the previous 12 months) will be collected in two parts. Data
for Measures 1 and 2, that relate to the reporting profile, will be due in March. Data for Measures 3 & 4, requiring follow-up and review of cases, will be due in October. Accordingly, the
following timetable will be followed for data collection and reporting:
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