Abstract
Background: The Italian external quality assessment scheme in classical cytogenetics was started in 2001 as an activity funded by the National Health System and coordinated by the Italian Public Institute of Health. Objectives: The aim of our work is to present data from the first 4 years of activity, 2001-2004. Methods: Italian cytogenetics public laboratories were enrolled on a voluntary basis, and this nationwide program covered prenatal, postnatal and oncological diagnosis. The scheme is annual and retrospective; a panel of experts reviewed the quality of images and reports in order to assess technical, analytical and interpretative performance. Results: Over the 4-year period, the number of participating laboratories increased: from 36 in 2001, 46 in 2002, 49 in 2003 to 51 in 2004. The overall technical performance was satisfactory. Inadequacy or lack of information in reporting was the most frequent analytical inaccuracy identified in all parts of the scheme. However, the percentage of complete reports increased significantly during the period: by 36% in postnatal diagnosis between 2001 and 2004 (p <0.001) and by 42% in oncological diagnosis between 2002 and 2004 (p = 0.003). Conclusions: Our experience reveals that participation in external quality assessment programs has significant advantages, helping to standardize and to assure quality in cytogenetic testing.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 295-303 |
| Number of pages | 9 |
| Journal | Community Genetics |
| Volume | 11 |
| Issue number | 5 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - May 2008 |
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Keywords
- Classical cytogenetics
- External quality assessment
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Genetics(clinical)
Cite this
The Italian external quality assessment scheme in classical cytogenetics : Four years of activity. / Floridia, G.; Falbo, V.; Censi, F.; Tosto, F.; Salvatore, M.; Baroncini, A.; Battaglia, P.; Conti, A.; Donti, E.; La Starza, R.; Nitsch, L.; Pierluigi, M.; Piombo, G.; Susca, F.; Mancini, M.; Mecucci, C.; Calzolari, E.; Dagna Bricarelli, F.; Guanti, G.; Taruscio, D.
In: Community Genetics, Vol. 11, No. 5, 05.2008, p. 295-303.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - The Italian external quality assessment scheme in classical cytogenetics
T2 - Four years of activity
AU - Floridia, G.
AU - Falbo, V.
AU - Censi, F.
AU - Tosto, F.
AU - Salvatore, M.
AU - Baroncini, A.
AU - Battaglia, P.
AU - Conti, A.
AU - Donti, E.
AU - La Starza, R.
AU - Nitsch, L.
AU - Pierluigi, M.
AU - Piombo, G.
AU - Susca, F.
AU - Mancini, M.
AU - Mecucci, C.
AU - Calzolari, E.
AU - Dagna Bricarelli, F.
AU - Guanti, G.
AU - Taruscio, D.
PY - 2008/5
Y1 - 2008/5
N2 - Background: The Italian external quality assessment scheme in classical cytogenetics was started in 2001 as an activity funded by the National Health System and coordinated by the Italian Public Institute of Health. Objectives: The aim of our work is to present data from the first 4 years of activity, 2001-2004. Methods: Italian cytogenetics public laboratories were enrolled on a voluntary basis, and this nationwide program covered prenatal, postnatal and oncological diagnosis. The scheme is annual and retrospective; a panel of experts reviewed the quality of images and reports in order to assess technical, analytical and interpretative performance. Results: Over the 4-year period, the number of participating laboratories increased: from 36 in 2001, 46 in 2002, 49 in 2003 to 51 in 2004. The overall technical performance was satisfactory. Inadequacy or lack of information in reporting was the most frequent analytical inaccuracy identified in all parts of the scheme. However, the percentage of complete reports increased significantly during the period: by 36% in postnatal diagnosis between 2001 and 2004 (p <0.001) and by 42% in oncological diagnosis between 2002 and 2004 (p = 0.003). Conclusions: Our experience reveals that participation in external quality assessment programs has significant advantages, helping to standardize and to assure quality in cytogenetic testing.
AB - Background: The Italian external quality assessment scheme in classical cytogenetics was started in 2001 as an activity funded by the National Health System and coordinated by the Italian Public Institute of Health. Objectives: The aim of our work is to present data from the first 4 years of activity, 2001-2004. Methods: Italian cytogenetics public laboratories were enrolled on a voluntary basis, and this nationwide program covered prenatal, postnatal and oncological diagnosis. The scheme is annual and retrospective; a panel of experts reviewed the quality of images and reports in order to assess technical, analytical and interpretative performance. Results: Over the 4-year period, the number of participating laboratories increased: from 36 in 2001, 46 in 2002, 49 in 2003 to 51 in 2004. The overall technical performance was satisfactory. Inadequacy or lack of information in reporting was the most frequent analytical inaccuracy identified in all parts of the scheme. However, the percentage of complete reports increased significantly during the period: by 36% in postnatal diagnosis between 2001 and 2004 (p <0.001) and by 42% in oncological diagnosis between 2002 and 2004 (p = 0.003). Conclusions: Our experience reveals that participation in external quality assessment programs has significant advantages, helping to standardize and to assure quality in cytogenetic testing.
KW - Classical cytogenetics
KW - External quality assessment
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=44249119914&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=44249119914&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1159/000121401
DO - 10.1159/000121401
M3 - Article
C2 - 18493128
AN - SCOPUS:44249119914
VL - 11
SP - 295
EP - 303
JO - Community Genetics
JF - Community Genetics
SN - 1422-2795
IS - 5
ER -