Quality assurance program in cytogenetics

The RCPA - QAP Ply Ltd in association with the Human Genetics Society of Australasia (HGSA) has been running a QAP in cytogenetics since 1989. A pattern has now been established for the program which consists of sending out 4 surveys every year (2 samples of blood, 1 tissue culture flask and 1 set of negatives representing bone marrow chromosomes). The participants are asked to make a chromosome preparation, analyse them, produce a karyotype and report on the chromosome constitution and on the clinical significance of the finding. They are asked to attempt all the surveys even though the type of sample may not be, routinely handled. The work of the participants is assessed by a panel of expert cylogencticists. An educational critique on the subject covered by the survey is included in the Assessment sent to each participant. Participants include all 28 diagnostic laboratories in Australia, 3 in New Zealand and 1 in Hong Kong. The QAP has demonstrated a high level of technical competence and accuracy in cytogenetic diagnosis.