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BSCC Code of Practice

Recommended Code of Practice for Laboratories Participating in the UK Cervical Screening Programmes 2010

More than ten years have passed since the last edition of this code of practice. Much has changed in cervical cytopathology, and change continues apace. There is no right time for producing a new edition. Considerations regarding the clinical utility of automated screening and HPV testing in the NHS Cervical Screening Programme (NHSCSP) are on-going and likely to render parts of this third edition out-of date fairly quickly.

For this reason the third edition is being published on the website to enable us to make relevant changes as innovations and new technologies are implemented in the cervical screening programme. It must be noted that the guidance published in this document is exactly that. Many of the recommendations are based on professional consensus. Where evidence exists it has been referenced. Many of the sections merely draw attention to the relevant NHSCSP, Royal College of Pathologists (RCPath), Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS), Clinical Pathology Accreditation (CPA) or other documents or websites. Where possible, suitable links have been inserted to allow for easy web site navigation.

The guidance is aimed at laboratories that work within the relevant cervical screening programme in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales and recognises the varied service configurations which currently exist, even these may be transitional. Whilst it contains many examples of good practice it is not specifically aimed at laboratories working within the private sector or countries outside the United Kingdom. To ensure that guidance was appropriate to all four screening programmes members of the working party were drawn from each of the four countries. In addition to members of BAC Council, the IBMS and National Association of Cytologists (NAC) representatives to BAC Council and the Chair of the NHSCSP National Laboratory QA Group were invited to sit on the working party. Whilst recognising that individuals working within the profession can be male or female the term “He” will be used throughout this document.

Editorial policy reflects the interest of cytopathologists and cytotechnologists alike as well as the interests of clinicians using the cytology service. It also reflects the interest of biological scientists whose work involves research at the cellular level.

BSCC Code of Practice 2010 0.5Mb PDF file, 19/02/2010

Cytopathology

The Official Journal of the British Association for Cytopathology and an Affiliated Journal of over 20 National Cytology Societies

The aim of Cytopathology is to publish articles relating to those aspects of cytology which will increase our knowledge and understanding of the aetiology, diagnosis and management of human disease. It contains original articles and critical reviews on all aspects of clinical cytology in its broadest sense: including gynaecological and non-gynaecological cytology, fine needle aspiration and screening strategy. The Journal welcomes papers on ultrastructural, histochemical and immunocytochemical studies of the cell as well as articles on quantitative cytology and DNA hybridization as applied to cytological material.

Editorial policy reflects the interest of cytopathologists and cytotechnologists alike as well as the interests of clinicians using the cytology service. It also reflects the interest of biological scientists whose work involves research at the cellular level.

Editor's Choice is a regular freely accessible paper chosen by the Editor.

A review article by Lobo et al. has been chosen as Editor’s choice for free access during April and May 2012 because it deals with a type of specimen familiar to most cytopathologists (serous fluid) and covers all aspects of a rare group of conditions caused by Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus: aetiology, clinical findings, cytomorphology, immunocytochemistry and molecular biology. This article forms part of the April issue’s theme of ‘haematocytopathology’ dealing with the overlap between cytopathology and haematology. Professor Zeppa discusses this overlap in his editorial, while Gong et al. demonstrate the importance of bone marrow imprints of trephine biopsies – among other articles and letters on the same theme.

Serous fluid cytology of multicentric Castleman's disease and other lymphoproliferative disorders associated with Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpes virus: a review with case reports.
C. Lobo, S. Amin, A. Ramsay, T. Diss and G. Kocjan
Cytopathology 2012 23:76-85.

Related articles in the same issue:
X. Gong, X. Lu, X. Wu, R. Xu, Q. Tang, G. Xu, L. Wang, X. Zhang and X. Zhao
Role of bone marrow imprints in haematological diagnosis: a detailed study of 3781 cases
Cytopathology 2012 23:86-95.

P. Zeppa (Editorial)
Haematocytopathology: why?
Cytopathology 2012 23:73-75.

http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/118513440/home

Document library

Many more documents are available for BAC members. Please click here to login or here to view information about joining the BAC.

Achieving a 14 day turnaround This document aims to give practical, evidence based advice on achieving the 14-day TAT, 0.07Mb PDF file, 26/05/2010

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Links

ACTA Cytologica
American Society of Cytopathology
Australian Society of Cytology
British Society for colposcopy and Cervical Pathology
Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science
Committee on Quality Assurance Training and Education (QUATE)
CytoJournal - An online journal published by BioMed Central
Cytopathnet SM
Cytopathology - The official journal of the BAC
European Cervical Cancer Association
European Federation of Cytology Societies
IARC Screening Group
Institute of Biomedical Science IBMS
International Academy of Cytology
Jo's Trust
National Cervical Cancer Coalition
NHS Cancer Screening Programmes
PATHMAX
QUATE Committee
Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
Royal College of Pathologists
The American Society for Cytotechnology
UK Endocrine Pathology Society