Quality assurance in histopathology

Abstract

There is widespread interest in development of approaches to monitoring the quality of the diagnostic service provided by pathology departments. Novel approaches are being developed for analysis of performance, while there is active interest in the selection of diagnostic categories that can be reliably applied in service laboratories. Initial progress has been slow but organisational problems and professional inertia have been largely overcome. The scene is now set for continuing critical appraisal which must lead to improvements in clinical care.