All in for patient safety: a team approach to quality improvement in our laboratories

• Published in: Journal of the American Society of Cytopathology JASC Vol. 11; no. 2; pp. 87 - 93
• Main Authors: Weiss, Vivian L., Heher, Yael K., Seegmiller, Adam, VanderLaan, Paul A., Nishino, Michiya
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01-03-2022
• Subjects: Ancillary molecular testing; Cytopathology; Diagnostic management team; Humans; Laboratories; Patient Safety; Pre-analytic error; Quality Improvement; Standardized reporting; Pre-analytic error; Standardized reporting; Cytopathology; Diagnostic management team; Ancillary molecular testing
• ISSN: 2213-2945; 2213-2945
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jasc.2021.12.001

Patient safety and quality improvement initiatives are integral parts of every cytopathology laboratory. The need to revisit our approaches to patient safety are essential in light of the expanding test menu, ancillary studies, comprehensive diagnostic reports, and emergence of new technologies for augmenting cytologic diagnosis. Our interview with Drs. Yael Heher, Adam Seegmiller, and Paul VanderLaan explores recent developments that have shaped their perspectives in patient safety, test usage, and laboratory quality. The practical strategies presented provide tools for enhanced patient safety and improved outcomes in a new era of ancillary and molecular testing and standardized reporting in the cytopathology laboratory.