MedWorm: Royal College of Pathologists

Pilot quality assurance programme for plasma metanephrines

Annals of Clinical Biochemistry — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 17:36:02 +0100

Conclusions Differences in calibration and matrix effects are likely to have been responsible for the discrepancy between chromatographic and immunoassay methods. These differences need to be further examined although efforts at standardization between different methods have been hampered by the lack of a universal calibrator for plasma metanephrines. Meanwhile, a laboratory's performance characteristics can be monitored and enhanced by participation in suitable external quality assurance programmes. (Source: Annals of Clinical Biochemistry)

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Investigations from External Quality Assurance Programs Reveal a High Degree of Variation in the Laboratory Identification of Coagulation Factor Inhibitors

Seminars in Thrombosis and Hemostasis — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 14:31:24 +0100

This article reviews each of these elements, largely from the perspective of cross-laboratory studies undertaken within the framework of external quality assurance (EQA), a peer-laboratory process that aims to assess the ongoing performance of groups of similar laboratories. This review details the experience of the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia Haematology Quality Assurance Program, and it also reflects on the experience of other EQA organizations. Our analysis reveals a wide variety of test practice among inhibitor testing laboratories, a wide variation in detected inhibitor levels in cross-tested samples, and substantial evidence of false-positive and false-negative detection of factor inhibitors. These findings hold some significance for the clinical management of patien...

Serum vitamin A and E analysis: comparison of methods between laboratories enrolled in an external quality assurance programme

Annals of Clinical Biochemistry — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 01:10:41 +0100

Conclusions The questionnaire highlighted discrete methodological differences between laboratories. These findings provide direction to enable the Vitamins Working Party of the Australasian Association of Clinical Biochemists to further investigate the dispersion in results between participants of the RCPA QAP vitamin programme. (Source: Annals of Clinical Biochemistry)

Dr Arnold Renshaw (1885-1980): Manchester pathologist and forensic pathologist with a clinical interest in rheumatoid arthritis

Journal of Medical Biography — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 00:38:13 +0100

Dr Arnold Renshaw trained in both dentistry and medicine in Manchester, being actively involved in the University student organisations. He followed a career in pathology and bacteriology that was interrupted by serving in the RAMC during World War I. Bacteriological interest in the antiseptic properties of aniline dyes followed. His main interest, however, was in pathology where he was associated with the Pathology Society of Manchester for more than twenty years. He was also actively involved in the founding of the Association of Clinical Pathologists. The Association led to the formation of the Royal College of Pathologists and to Renshaw being elected one of the Founding Fellows. He also developed a special expertise in forensic pathology which he pioneered in northwest England. His la...

Royal College Of Pathologists Vice President Wins Healthcare Scientist Of The YearAward 2009

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 19:00:00 +0100

The Royal College of Pathologists is pleased to be able to congratulate Vice President Tim Wreghitt on his award for Healthcare Scientist of the Year 2009 awarded at the Government's Chief Scientific Officer Conference on November 24. Dr Tim Wreghitt, is a Regional Microbiologist for the Health Protection Agency (East of England) and Honorary Consultant Virologist at Addenbrooke's Hospital. His research interests have centred on viral infections in transplant patients, especially donor-acquired disease and respiratory infections... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Royal College Of Pathologists Vice President Wins Healthcare Scientist Of The YearAward 2009

Public Health News From Medical News Today — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 19:00:00 +0100

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David Cameron sets out Tory NHS vision

HSJ — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 12:00:00 +0100

Conservative leader David Cameron has set out his party’s legislative proposals for the health service in a speech to the Royal College of Pathologists. (Source: HSJ)

Re: Government Announcement - Patients To Have Cancer Tests Within Two Weeks

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 05:00:00 +0100

The Royal College of Pathologists is delighted to hear the Prime Minister's ongoing commitment to improving cancer diagnostic services. He has said that this will involve more "ultrasounds, CT and MRI scans", but it is important to recognise that in almost every case, the confirmation of cancer is made by not by a scan, but by a pathologist examining a tissue sample in the laboratory. (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

ACM Autumn 2009 Scientific Meeting - Automation: the future of Microbiology?

Nature Network London - Upcoming Events — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 09:04:26 +0100

The subject for the Autumn 2009 meeting will be automation in both traditional and molecular microbiology. Topics to be covered include the UK Biobank, a study of development of disease in half a million people, the Kiestra system for bacteriology, automated extractors for mycology and many more. Two professional issues will be discussed: an update on Modernising Scientific Careers, the future training and career progression framework for all Clinical Scientists, and the Callaghan Review, which reviewed the regulations for handling animal and human pathogens. ACM members cannot afford to miss the extraordinary Annual General Meeting, where the results of the current ballot on the future of the ACM and our links with The Association for Clinical Biochemists will be announced. As ever, CPD a...

The Royal Institution: Heart attack – Behind the scenes

Nature Network London - Recent News — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 13:10:27 +0100

When someone has a heart attack, a complex series of medical procedures go a long way towards keeping the patient alive. Working alongside the cardiologists and nurses, pathologists rapidly carry out critical tests to confirm the diagnosis for the appropriate treatment. But many heart attacks are fatal! What goes on behind the scenes? Join pathologist Dr Suzy Lishman and her team from the Royal College of Pathologists, and British Heart Foundation cardiologist Professor Peter Weissberg for a fascinating guided tour inside the heart. In partnership with the Royal College of Pathologists and the British Heart Foundation. Tickets cost £8 standard, £6 concessions, £4 Ri Members. For more information and to book, visit www.rigb.org or call 020 7409 2992 Venue: The Royal Institution Start...

Sweat testing for cystic fibrosis: standards of performance in Australasia

Annals of Clinical Biochemistry — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Conclusions There is room for improvement in the performance of the sweat test in some laboratories in Australasia. The Sweat Testing Working Party of the Australasian Association of Clinical Biochemists is the appropriate body to address the problems involved in sweat testing and to bring about change. (Source: Annals of Clinical Biochemistry)

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Royal College Of Physicians' Report - Women And Medicine - The Future

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 11:00:00 +0100

The Royal College of Pathologists welcomes the Royal College of Physicians' report into the future of women in medicine and the crucial need to plan for the increasing proportion of women doctors, a change that is already underway throughout the medical workface in the UK. (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

[Original articles] Online survey of current autopsy practice

Journal of Clinical Pathology — Wed, 27 May 2009 04:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: The circumstances under which coronial autopsies are conducted in many parts of the UK make it difficult or impossible to comply with current RCPath guidance. Pathologists disagree on whether this situation demands a reduction of RCPath standards, an improvement in autopsy practice in medico-legal cases to current RCPath standards, or the implementation of "double standards". Resolution of this dilemma requires clarification of exactly what a coronial autopsy is trying to achieve. (Source: Journal of Clinical Pathology)

[Original articles] Workload measurement in subspecialty dermatopathology

Journal of Clinical Pathology — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 04:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: The RCPath histopathology workload guidelines underestimate the workload achievable by an experienced dermatopathologist, and thus are not directly applicable to subspecialty dermatopathology practice. Hourly work rates 3–4 times that recommended by the RCPath workload matrix are routinely achievable, but extrapolation to yearly workload estimates requires detailed knowledge of practice pattern and time required for non-clinical duties such as teaching, research and administration. (Source: Journal of Clinical Pathology)

National Pathology Week 3-9 November - Royal College Of Pathologists

Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses News From Medical News Today — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 08:00:00 +0100

The Royal College of Pathologists and other specialist societies are holding the first National Pathology Week from 3-9 November 2008 to promote pathology. Over 150 fun free events are being held in hospitals and communities all over the United Kingdom and include interactive workshops, laboratory tours, stands in shopping centres, art competitions, quizzes and even a touring pathology bus. (Source: Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses News From Medical News Today)

Fine needle aspiration cytology in the investigation of breast lumps at the University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka, Zambia.

Tropical Doctor — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 14:25:27 +0100

Authors: Bowa K, Jewel J, Mudenda V The study was undertaken to determine the value of fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) in the investigation of breast lumps at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) in Lusaka, Zambia. This technique, which has been shown to be cheap, simple and accurate has not been in common use at this institution. FNAC and open biopsy (OB) were performed on 56 patients who presented with a breast lump and the results compared, in order to determine the accuracy of FNAC. FNAC was found to have a sensitivity of 72% and specificity of 100%. This level of accuracy compares favourably with the quality assurance criteria set for breast FNAC by the Royal College of Pathologists in the British National Health Service (NHS). PMID: 18820201 [PubMed - in process] (So...

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Histopathology reporting in colorectal cancer: a proforma improves quality

Colorectal Disease — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 23:00:00 +0100

Conclusion A template proforma and surgeon's contribution in relation to operative findings improves the quality of the histopathology report in CRC. (Source: Colorectal Disease)

Association of Clinical Microbiologists Autumn 2008 Scientific Meeting - Gut Reactions: An update on gastrointestinal infections

Nature Network London - Upcoming Events — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 08:48:15 +0100

The preliminary programme of the ACM Autumn 2008 Scientific Meeting includes speakers on topics such as norovirus, campylobacter, rotaviruses, Clostridium difficile and Crohn’s Disease. Both scientific and clinical aspects of each topic will be considered, and the event will be of interest to Clinical Microbiologists, Biomedical Scientists and our medical colleagues in microbiology and infectious diseases. The Professional Issues highlight this meeting is Dr Graham Beastall, Past President of The Association for Clinical Biochemistry and former Vice President of the Royal College of Pathologists, who will be attending the meeting to give an update on Modernising Scientific Careers and its implications for clinical microbiology. As ever, CPD accreditation from both the Royal College of Pa...

Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia (RCPA) and Australasian Association of Clinical Biochemists (AACB) Position Statement on Impaired Fasting Glucose.

The Clinical Biochemist. Reviews — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 04:00:00 +0100

Authors: , PMID: 19107225 [PubMed - in process] (Source: The Clinical Biochemist. Reviews)

[Original articles] Impact of standardised reporting in adrenocortical carcinoma: a single centre clinicopathological review

Journal of Clinical Pathology — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 04:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Standardised criteria for histopathological reporting of ACC will improve the accuracy of data for cancer registration and may also assist in individual patient stratification. An elevated Ki-67 index is a feature of ACC, although it does not appear to predict individual patient survival. (Source: Journal of Clinical Pathology)

Quality Assessment of Perinatal and Infant Postmortem Examinations in Turkey.

Journal of Forensic Sciences — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 04:00:00 +0100

In this study, 15,640 autopsies recorded during the years 2000-2004 in the Mortuary Department of the Council of Forensic Medicine were reviewed. Autopsy findings of 510 cases between 20 completed weeks of gestation and 1 year of age were analyzed retrospectively. The quality of each necropsy report was assessed using a modification of the system gestational age assessment described by Rushton, which objectively scores aspects identified by the Royal College of Pathologists as being part of a necropsy. According to their ages, the cases were subdivided into three groups. Intrauterine deaths were 31% (158 cases), neonatal deaths were 24% (123 cases), and infantile deaths were 45% (229 cases) of all cases. Scores for the quality of the necropsy report were above the minimum acceptable score ...

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Pathologists Win Gold Medal At Chelsea Flower Show, UK

Tropical Diseases News From Medical News Today — Wed, 21 May 2008 08:00:00 +0100

The Royal College of Pathologists and the Health Protection Agency have won a highly prestigious Gold Medal at this year's Chelsea Flower Show. The joint exhibition explores the possibility that climate change may increase the risk of malaria returning to the UK. Visitors are able to find out which species of mosquito transmit malaria, the plants used in the prevention and treatment of malaria, and how pathologists diagnose and treat the disease. (Source: Tropical Diseases News From Medical News Today)

Methodology and outcomes of platelet aggregation testing in Australia, New Zealand and the Asia-Pacific region: results of a survey from the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia Haematology Quality Assurance Program

Clinical and Laboratory Haematology — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 08:21:59 +0100

International Journal of Laboratory Hematology, Volume 0, Issue 0, Page ???, OnlineEarly Articles. SummaryPlatelet aggregometry is widely used to investigate platelet function but its performance is poorly standardized between laboratories. The aim of this work was to document the platelet aggregation methods used in specialist laboratories enrolled in ... (Source: Clinical and Laboratory Haematology)

Royal College of Pathologists

RDFunding RSS feed — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 08:00:39 +0100

The Jean Shanks Foundation / The Royal College of Pathologists - Pilot awards in pathology Amount: £5K - £10K Closing Date : 30 May 2008 (Source: RDFunding RSS feed)

Shortage Of Pathologists Causing Unlawful Transportation Of Children's Bodies, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 08:00:00 +0100

The Coroners Act, 1988, allows the removal of a body for post-mortem to an adjoining district only. This law is frequently broken because of a serious shortage of pathologists, especially pediatric pathologists, say members of the Royal College of Pathologists and the British Medical Association. [click link for full article] (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

GPs And Pathologists Launch Advice To Improve Out-Of-Hours Reporting Of Abnormal Test Results

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 10:00:00 +0100

Advice for GPs and pathologists to improve the reporting of abnormal test results out-of-hours has been developed by The Royal College of Pathologists (RCPath) and The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP). [click link for full article] (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

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GPs and pathologists launch advice to improve out-of-hours reporting of abnormal test results

NeLM Headline News — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 00:00:00 +0100

The Royal College of Pathologists (RCPath) and The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) have issued guidance for GPs, PCTs, out-of-hours providers and laboratory staff on how to improve the reporting of abnormal test results out-of-hours. The document highlights three key problem areas in reporting and acting on out-of hours abnormal results, including lack of information over whom to contact; staff failing to appreciate the importance of the abnormal result and not taking appropriate responsibility; and staff being unable to contact the patient and/or unable to access patient records. The document recommends that stakeholders work together at a local level to develop an appropriate system to ensure good communication out of hours. Specifically, PCTs should inform the laboratory ...

EQA from an Australian Perspective.

The Clinical Biochemist. Reviews — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 04:00:00 +0100

Authors: Bais R Enrolment in external quality assurance programs is part of the accreditation process for medical laboratories in Australia, with the majority of Australian laboratories being enrolled in programs from RCPA Quality Assurance Programs Pty Limited, a company owned by the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia. An important feature of these programs is that they have been developed with the involvement and contribution of the profession. For example, the Chemical Pathology programs are a joint venture between the company and the Australasian Association of Clinical Biochemists (AACB). Some of the unique features of the programs are the composition of the material, the use of target values, the structure and information in the reports and the use of the internet for d...

[Original articles] Frequency and reliability of oestrogen receptor, progesterone receptor and HER2 in breast carcinoma determined by immunohistochemistry in Australasia: results of the RCPA Quality Assurance Program

Journal of Clinical Pathology — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 04:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: A laboratory audit was introduced into the RCPA QAP for breast markers due to concerns raised by participating laboratories about technical differences in supplied tissues for testing. This audit indicates that overall the results for ER, PR and HER2 fall inside established parameters. However, a number of individual laboratories do not meet the target values and variation in results would impact on patient treatment decisions. (Source: Journal of Clinical Pathology)

The validity of the Royal College of Pathologists' colorectal cancer minimum dataset within a population

British Journal of Cancer AOP — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 04:00:00 +0100

N J Maughan, E Morris, D Forman & P Quirke (Source: British Journal of Cancer AOP)

[Original articles] Melanoma histopathology reporting: are we complying with the National Minimum Dataset?

Journal of Clinical Pathology — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 04:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: There was slow uptake of the NMDS in this region in the year following its introduction. Although major parameters required for staging were more consistently reported, ulceration and microsatellites were less frequently reported. (Source: Journal of Clinical Pathology)

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Open House: science highlights

Nature Network London - Recent News — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 05:10:00 +0100

Image via Google Maps. An interactive version is available. In September each year, hundreds of London’s buildings open to the public for just a few days. Open House weekend is an unmissable opportunity to poke around in all kinds of places that are usually off-limits. Of the 600 participating venues this year, around 25 have scientific or medical links. Must-sees The Gibbs Building, headquarters of the Wellcome Trust, opened at 215 Euston Road three years ago. The glass-clad structure has become a local landmark, partly thanks to the window displays showing protein structures in neon lighting. Inside hangs Thomas Heatherwick’s Bleigiessen sculpture, which – at nine storeys tall – must be one of London’s largest works of art. Queen Mary College Institute of Cell a...

The First Online Pathology Workforce Database Goes Live On 10th September, UK

IT / Internet / E-mail News From Medical News Today — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 09:00:00 +0100

On 10th September, the Royal College of Pathologists launches the world's first interactive, multi-professional electronic database. Designed to match need with expertise and new technologies, it will provide the UK Health Service with a vital management tool. Developed by the National Cancer Services Analysis Team, it will deliver up to date information on demographics, posts and vacancies and will play a pivotal role in long-term strategic planning of workforce and expertise. [click link for full article] (Source: IT / Internet / E-mail News From Medical News Today)

What is the difference between food intolerances and food allergies?

NLH Question Answering Service — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 06:57:58 +0100

The Royal College of Pathologists guide on allergy and allergy tests distinguishes between food intolerances and food allergies:"'Allergy' involves the immune system and tends to occur on each and every exposure. Many allergy tests measure specific immune factors triggered by allergies. (Source: NLH Question Answering Service)

What is the difference between food intolerances and food allergies? Is there any validity to the commercial food intolerance tests available which are IgG based I believe.

NLH Question Answering Service — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 17:17:02 +0100

New Online Service Explains Pathology Tests, Australia

IT / Internet / E-mail News From Medical News Today — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 09:00:00 +0100

The Commonwealth Government has launched a new Internet-based service to help Australians better understand any one of the hundreds of lab tests used to screen, diagnose or monitor illness and disease. The Government has provided Lab Tests Online with funding of $500,000 from the Quality Use of Pathology Program. It has been developed by the Australasian Association of Clinical Biochemists with support from the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia. [click link for full article] (Source: IT / Internet / E-mail News From Medical News Today)

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Desirable performance standards for HbA1c analysis – precision, accuracy and standardisation Consensus statement of the Australasian Association of Clinical Biochemists (AACB), the Australian Diabetes Society (ADS), the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia (RCPA), Endocrine Society of Australia (ESA), and the Australian Diabetes Educators Association (ADEA)

Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 04:00:00 +0100

Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine 45(8): 1083-1097 Background: HbA1c (glycohaemoglobin) is universally used in the ongoing monitoring of all patients with diabetes. There are many % HbA1c target control rating recommendations by national, regional and international expert bodies for diabetes patients and these are variable around the world. General patient target control ratings are currently most often recommended as either (Source: Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine)

Utility of the PFA-100 as a screening test of platelet function: an audit of haemostasis laboratories in Australia and New Zealand.

Blood Coagulation & Fibrinolysis — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 12:22:58 +0100

Page: 441DOI: 10.1097/MBC.0b013e328136c178Authors: Favaloro, Emmanuel J a,*; Bonar, Roslyn a,*; Duncan, Elizabeth b; Rodgers, Susan b; Marsden, Katherine a; on behalf of the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia Quality Assurance Program in Haematology (Source: Blood Coagulation & Fibrinolysis)

Labs Are VitalTM National Launch At Focus 2007, UK

Medical Devices News From Medical News Today — Tue, 29 May 2007 19:00:00 +0100

An exciting new venture 'Labs are VitalTM' was launched at Focus 2007. 'Labs are VitalTM' will provide a combined approach for the Association for Clinical Biochemistry, Royal College of Pathologists, Association of Clinical Pathologists and the British In Vitro Diagnostics Association to promote clinical science and laboratory medicine. This comes at a time of significant change in the way healthcare is delivered across the UK. [click link for full article] (Source: Medical Devices News From Medical News Today)

How Can Plants Make You Ill? Pathologists Win Prestigious RHS Gold Medal At The Chelsea Flower Show 2007

Public Health News From Medical News Today — Mon, 28 May 2007 19:00:00 +0100

The Royal College of Pathologists has won a highly prestigious Gold Medal at this year's Chelsea Flower Show. The exhibit, How can plants make you ill?, focuses on foods that most often trigger allergic reactions and explains the pathology and links between these foods that can result in unexpected symptoms. [click link for full article] (Source: Public Health News From Medical News Today)

Appeal panel asks NICE appraisal committee to review draft guidance on the use of bortezomib in multiple myeloma

NeLM Headline News — Fri, 30 Mar 2007 00:00:00 +0100

An Appeal Panel was convened on 8th February 2007 to consider an appeal against the Final Appraisal Determination (FAD) developed by NICE on the use of bortezomib for the treatment of relapsed multiple myeloma. The following conclusions have been reached by the appeal panel (taken directly from appeal document): The Appeal Panel has upheld the appeal under ground one by Janssen-Cilag (point 2.1.1 of the appeal), Royal College of Pathologists and others, and Myeloma UK and others, to the extent that the operation of the interim procedure was on this occasion unfair. It also upheld the appeal by Janssen-Cilag (points 2.1.2, 2.1.5, and 2.1.7 of the appeal) with regard to bortezomib plus dexamethasone. The Panel upheld the appeal under ground two by Janssen-Cilag point 2.1.3, with regard to t...

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Oncology and pharmacogenetics in 2007.

LANCET — Tue, 26 Dec 2006 15:45:02 +0100

Authors: Stebbing J Justin Stebbing is a member of the Royal College of Physicians, American Board of Internal Medicine and the Royal College of Pathologists. Originally, Justin trained in medicine at Trinity College Oxford (Oxford, UK), obtaining a triple first class degree. After completion of junior doctor posts in Oxford, he undertook a residency (junior doctor) training at The Johns Hopkins Hospital (MD, USA), before returning to London to continue his training in oncology at The Royal Marsden. Justin then undertook a PhD, funded by the medical research council, investigating the interplay between the immune system and cancer. Specifically, the role of heat shock proteins in tumorigenesis was examined, leading to the development of a cancer vaccine that is currently in clinical tr...

Opposition to changes in regulations to allow homeopathic remedies to make medical claims

NeLM Headline News — Thu, 26 Oct 2006 00:00:00 +0100

According to a BBC health news report, clinicians and scientific institutions are opposing changes in regulations introduced by the MHRA, to allow homeopathic medicines to make medical claims. Under the voluntary scheme, called the National Rules Scheme, homeopathic products will receive a licence if companies can provide data showing the treatments are safe, but they will not have to produce evidence of efficacy from clinical trials. They will also be allowed to indicate what sort of symptoms they can relieve, although this will be limited to minor ailments. Amongst the 12 institutions opposing these new regulations are: • The Royal College of Pathologists, who said in a statement that it was "deeply alarmed that the regulation of medicine had "moved away from science and cle...

[Original articles] The Warwick system of prospective workload allocation in cellular pathology--an aid to subspecialisation: a comparison with the Royal College of Pathologists' system

Journal of Clinical Pathology — Thu, 27 Jul 2006 06:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: The RCPath system of scoring is inherently complex, is applied retrospectively and is not consistent across subspecialities. The Warwick system is simpler, prospective and can be run by technical staff; it facilitates even workload distribution throughout the day. Subspecialisation within a small-sized or medium-sized department with fair distribution of work between pathologists is also allowed for by this system. Reporting times among pathologists were shown by time and motion studies to be more consistent with Warwick points per hour than with RCPath points per hour. (Source: Journal of Clinical Pathology)

[Original articles] External quality assurance of molecular analysis of haemochromatosis gene mutations

Journal of Clinical Pathology — Tue, 27 Jun 2006 06:00:00 +0100

Discussion: Encouraging levels of testing proficiency for two common genetic mutations are indicated by these data, but they also confirm the need for participation of molecular diagnostic laboratories in external quality assurance programmes to ensure the ongoing provision of high-quality genetic testing services. (Source: Journal of Clinical Pathology)