Abstract
Objective : We surveyed objective criteria to evaluate cytothechnologist performance to determine practical cytology quality control.
Study Design : Data was from 152 cytotechnologists (CTs) taking the 2005-2007 cytology external quality control survey of 100 cytodiagnostic questions. Two cyological images and 5 multiple-choices questions with 5 choices had to be answered within 1 minute. Response sheets were collected and results analyzed, and the quality of cytological images and choices re-evaluated.
Results : Survey results were 74.3% (S.D.=13.0) in 2005, 69.1% (S.D.=10.5) in 2006, and 79.3% (S.D.=8.8) in 2007. The accuracy rate ranged from 22 to 100% among questions. In proportion to years of experience, CTs who worked in cytological laboratories of commercial medical laboratories or health screening centers scored lower than CTs who worked in cytological laboratories of hospital so CT performance for 20 years or less experience differed little but for over 20 years of experience, there was a 10% disparity between the result of the group of CTs who has screening for cytologic specimens which were obtained from almost all body sites and the result of the other group.
Conclusion : Survey results were affected by three factors— (1) years of CT experience, (2) differences in laboratory, and (3) difference in cytologic specimens screened.
