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Table 1 Factors used in the evaluation of histopathology EQA schemes

From: External quality assurance as a revalidation method for pathologists in pediatric histopathology: Comparison of four international programs

 

BRIPPA

RCPA AP QAP

SPP

IAP-GD

Comprehensive EQA6

No. of Circulations/year

2

1

3

1

2

No. slides/year

30

10

15

50 5

30

Membership Required 1

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Pediatric Pathology Required

Yes

No

Yes

No

No

Open to Overseas participants

Yes 3

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

CPA accreditation (UK or similar accrediting bodies in other countries)

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

CPD/CME certificates

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

CPD/CME credits

10

10

15

10

15

Slides Discussion Meeting

Yes

No

No

Yes

Yes

Fixed Organizer

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Annual Report Issue

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

Yes

Improvement/Changes Meeting Discussion

Yes

Yes 4

Yes

No

Yes

Digital Images option

No

Yes

No

No

Yes

Substandard Performance Letter

Yes

No

No

No

Yes

Minimum Levels of Participation

Yes

No

No

No

Yes

Anonymous Responses 2

Yes

No

No

No

Yes

Participant's option to reject EQA cases where inappropriate for the EQA requiring actually expert opinion

Yes

Yes

No

No

Yes

Participant's option to reject EQA cases due to lack of sufficient information

Yes

Yes

No

No

Yes

Participant's option to reject EQA cases due to poor staining quality

Yes

Yes

No

No

Yes

  1. Notes: 1 The membership of the regulatory body (BRIPPA, RCPA, SPP, IAP) organizing the EQA is a requirement to participate in the histopathology survey; 2 the parameter 'anonymous responses' indicates that a coding is used to preserve the anonymity of the participants (It also means indirectly that explicit permission from the participant is required before data may be shared with local management, regional QA officers, accrediting bodies and suppliers of equipment and reagents); 3 with limitations (membership for pathologists is usually restricted to those with a regular commitment to work, usually locum work, in the United Kingdom); 4 with service online; 5 permanent set of stained sections (probably unsuitable for revalidation); 6 The comprehensive EQA is considered as major acceptance and author recommendation among the different EQAs. Neither EQA organizations nor the Medical University of Innsbruck are responsible for these conclusions.
  2. BRIPPA: British Paediatric Pathology Association,
  3. RCPA AP QAP: Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia Anatomical Pathology Quality Assurance Programme,
  4. SPP: Society for Pediatric Pathology
  5. IAP: International Academy of Pathology
  6. CPA: Clinical Pathology Accreditation Ltd.