January 2009
PAP/NGC Programs Review

Does your laboratory have classic slides in good condition that are no longer needed and feature negative or benign changes, or LSIL or HSIL interpretations?

When you come across a good case in your laboratory, are you able to make additional Pap tests from your ThinPrep or SurePath vials?

Do you have an interesting case you would like to share with your peers?

The CAP Interlaboratory Comparison Program in Gynecologic Cytology, or PAP Program, accepts Pap slide donations from laboratories. The slides are subject to a rigorous review by three cytopathologists, and the College pays generously for the administrative work required to prepare slides accepted into the program. Slides not accepted into the program can be returned if the donor wishes them to be returned, and accepted slides can be tracked in the event that the laboratory must have a specific case returned.

The College is looking for high-quality cases. The standards for all slides submitted for possible use are as follows:

• All LSIL, HSIL, and carcinoma cases must have tissue confirmation of the reference interpretation. Per CMS requirement, please write the biopsy diagnosis on the donor sheet or send an anonymized copy of the biopsy report.
• Each submitted case should be accompanied by appropriate clinical information for the patient (for example, age, LMP, prior hysterectomy).
• Materials submitted must be free of patient identifiers.
• ThinPrep Imager slides should be stained specifically for use with ThinPrep Imager.

To maintain the quality of the Pap Education and Pap PT programs, the following cannot be accepted: broken, cracked, chipped, or repaired slides; slides with air bubbles or with plastic or liquid coverslips; slides showing fading, drying (particularly around the periphery), or intense orangeophilia; slides more than seven years old; and cases interpreted as moderate dysplasia, ASC-US, ASC-H, or AGC.

The CAP reimburses laboratories to help cover administrative time used to organize donations. (Some laboratories use the reimbursement for staff education programs or for National Medical Laboratory Week.) Reimbursement is received after the Cytopathology Committee reviews the slides and accepts them into the program. The reimbursement rate for administrative preparation of SurePath, ThinPrep, and ThinPrep Imager slides is $20 per slide.

Contact Larry Flennoy (847-832-7275) for more information or to have a donor sheet and slide shipping materials mailed to you. Donor sheets can also be printed from the CAP Web site, www.cap.org, Cytopathology Topic Center page.