Exploring the links between quality assurance and laboratory resources. An audit-based study.

摘要

OBJECTIVE: To investigate and rectify the problems related to Ziehl-Neelsen (Z-N) staining in a cytology laboratory in the context of quality assurance. STUDY DESIGN: An audit based quality assurance study of 1,421 patients with clinical diagnoses of tubercular lymphadenopathy who underwent fine needle aspiration cytology. Data from 8 months were audited (group 1). Laboratory practices related to selection of smears for Z-N staining were studied. A 2-step corrective measure based on results of the audit was introduced for 2 months (group 2). Results were subjected to statistical analysis using the chi 2 test. RESULTS: Of 1,172 patients in group 1,368 had diagnoses other than tuberculosis. Overall acid-fast bacillus (AFB) positivity was 42%. AFB positivity in 249 patients in group 2 was 89% (P < .0001). CONCLUSION: Several issues in the laboratory are linked to quality assurance. Solving everyday problems can have far-reaching benefits for the performance of laboratory personnel, resources and work flow.