The Use of Static Telecytology Applications for Accreditational Purposes

Abstract

This study aims to examine the feasibility of developing a proficiency testing scheme for cytology labs wishing to be accredited according to ISO 15189:2012, by using low cost telemedical applications. Two hundred forty-eight fine-needle aspiration specimens from patients preoperatively aspirated under ultrasonographic guidance and 208 pap smears with histological confirmation were retrospectively selected from the department's registry. Three diagnostic categories of cytological reports were used. Ten characteristic images from each case were transferred via file transfer protocol to password-protected accounts for remote review by three independent cytopathologists. Contributor's and reviewer's diagnoses were collected, recorded and statistically evaluated. No significant difference in diagnostic accuracy could be detected between the diagnoses proffered on the basis of digitized images and conventional slides.

Implementation of pre‐captured videos for remote diagnosis of cervical cytology specimens

“…Cohen’s κ statistic was used for the calculation of intraobserver reproducibility 1‐5 . Mean intraobserver reproducibility was calculated as the weighted average of the individual κ values.…”

“…Mean intraobserver reproducibility was calculated as the weighted average of the individual κ values. To determine the significance of the intraobserver k values, we used the Svanholm formula 1‐5 …”

“…Telecytology is the interpretation of cytology material at a distance using digital images 1‐5 . Telecytology can be used for teaching, professional assessment, auditing, archiving, quantitative cytology and research, obtaining expert opinions on difficult cases, and routine diagnosis of the entire laboratory workload 1‐5 .…”

“…Telecytology is the interpretation of cytology material at a distance using digital images 1‐5 . Telecytology can be used for teaching, professional assessment, auditing, archiving, quantitative cytology and research, obtaining expert opinions on difficult cases, and routine diagnosis of the entire laboratory workload 1‐5 . Telecytological diagnosis can be achieved either with the use of cytological pictures viewed in real time from the microscope (dynamic telecytological systems) or with the use of cytological pictures that are first captured in digital format and then transmitted using a store‐and‐forward approach to distant observers (static telecytological systems) 3‐5 .…”

“…Diagnoses made using telecytology should be as reliable as those made using conventional microscopy. The existing studies which focused on the possible impact of static telecytology in the everyday laboratory workflow have found a high (90%‐95%) concordance between telecytological and glass slide diagnoses 4‐11 . At present, all available studies compare static and dynamic telecytology systems, but no study is available that has focused on the alternative implementation of short videos, captured by static telecytology stations for telemedical applications.…”