Implementation of Static Telecytology Applications for Accreditation Purposes According to ISO 15189

Mapping Intimacies ◽

10.4018/978-1-7998-9198-7.ch014 ◽

2022 ◽

pp. 244-258

Author(s):

Stavros K. Archondakis ◽

Ourania S. Oustampasidou

Keyword(s):

Proficiency Testing ◽

Digital Images ◽

Low Cost ◽

Glass Slide ◽

Iso 15189 ◽

Proficiency Testing Scheme ◽

Testing Scheme ◽

Expert Opinions ◽

Routine Diagnosis ◽

Teaching Professional

Telecytology can be defined as the process of diagnostic cytology performed on digital images. The process of diagnostic cytology performed on digital images can be used for teaching, professional examinations, obtaining expert opinions on severe cases, and routine diagnosis of the entire laboratory workload. Ηowever, little information exists about its possible use for proficiency testing purposes. The existing studies have found a high (90%–95%) concordance between telecytological and glass slide diagnoses, but they refer to a small number of cases. Thus, the purpose of the chapter is to examine the feasibility of developing a proficiency testing scheme for cytology labs wishing to be accredited according to ISO 15189:2012 by using low-cost telemedical applications.

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The Implementation of Cloud-Based Telemedical Applications for External Quality Control Purposes in the Field of Cytopathology

International Journal of Reliable and Quality E-Healthcare ◽

10.4018/ijrqeh.2014070102 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 3 (3) ◽

pp. 22-36 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Stavros Archondakis ◽

Abraham Pouliakis ◽

Niki Margari ◽

Petros Karakitsos

Keyword(s):

Quality Control ◽

Proficiency Testing ◽

Low Cost ◽

Control Measures ◽

External Quality Control ◽

External Quality ◽

Iso 15189 ◽

Proficiency Testing Scheme ◽

Testing Scheme ◽

Quality Control Tool

The aim of this study was to analyze in details the implementation of an accredited proficiency testing scheme by cytopathology labs wishing to establish external quality control measures according to ISO 15189:2012. The proficiency testing scheme was based on simple Cloud-based telemedical applications and was enthusiastically accepted by all colleagues due to its simplicity and its low cost. Six major cytopathology laboratories contributed fifty conventional pap smears with histological confirmation from their registries voluntarily. Twenty board-certified cytopathologists reviewed the smears voluntarily and recorded their diagnoses. Four major diagnostic categories of cytological reports were used for statistical purposes. In addition to diagnosis, reviewers also commented on overall smears quality. Ten smears in which diagnostic interobserver accordance was almost perfect were selected for further study. A characteristic video from each one of the 10 selected smears was transferred via a simple cloud application to password-protected accounts for remote review by independent cytopathologists. Contributor's and reviewer's diagnoses were collected, recorded and statistically evaluated. The statistical evaluation of each participation' s results were a valuable external quality control tool for each participating laboratory and its members.

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