Joseph A. Tworek

Trends in Blood Culture Contamination: A College of American Pathologists Q-Tracks Study of 356 Institutions

CONTEXT Blood culture contamination extends hospital stays and increases the cost of care. OBJECTIVES To measure blood culture contamination rates in a large number of institutions over time and to elucidate practice patterns and demographic factors associated with sustained reduction in contamination rates. DESIGN Longitudinal cohort study of 356 clinical laboratories that provided quarterly data about blood culture results, using a uniform definition of contamination. Mixed linear model analysis of the 1999 through 2003 data set. RESULTS Blood culture contamination was significantly higher in institutions that used nonlaboratory personnel to collect blood (P = .03) and significantly lower in facilities that used a dedicated phlebotomy team (P < .001). Higher volume of blood collection was significantly associated with lower contamination rates (P < .001). Continued participation in the Q-Tracks monitoring program was associated with significant and progressive reduction in contamination rates. By the fifth year of participation, the median institution had reduced its blood culture contamination rate by 0.67% (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS Institutions that use decentralized patient-centered personnel rather than dedicated phlebotomy teams to collect blood cultures experience significantly higher contamination rates. Long-term monitoring of contamination is associated with sustained improvement in performance.

Surgical pathology case reviews before sign-out: a College of American Pathologists Q-Probes study of 45 laboratories.

CONTEXT To avoid errors many surgical pathology services mandate review of a case by a second pathologist before reports are released (signed out). OBJECTIVE To study the extent and characteristics of such review. DESIGN Participants retrospectively examined up to 400 cases to identify a maximum of 30 cases reviewed by at least one additional pathologist before sign-out. For each case, participants documented the organ system, primary disease type, number of additional pathologists consulted, and the reason for case review. The main outcome measure was the fraction of surgical pathology cases that underwent second pathologist review before sign-out. RESULTS From 45 laboratories, examination of 18 032 surgical pathology cases yielded 1183 (6.6%) cases that had been reviewed before sign-out. The median laboratory reviewed 8.2% of cases. Three-fifths of reviews focused on 4 organ systems: gastrointestinal (20.5%), breast (16.0%), skin (12.7%), and female genital tract (10.0%). Malignant neoplasm far exceeded all other categories of disease in reviewed cases (45.3%). Cases were reviewed by one additional pathologist 78% of the time. Two dominant reasons for case review emerged: difficult diagnosis (46.2%) and audit required by departmental policy (43.0%). Most laboratories (71%) had departmental policies regarding review of cases. These laboratories reviewed cases about 33% more often than laboratories without policies (9.6% versus 6.5%). CONCLUSIONS Review of selected surgical pathology cases before sign-out is widely accepted with 71% of participant laboratories following policies to this effect. About 1 case in 15 (6.6%) were reviewed with the median laboratory of participants reviewing about 1 in 12 (8.2%).

The Value of Monitoring Frozen Section–Permanent Section Correlation Data Over Time

CONTEXT The effectiveness of the long-term monitoring of errors detected by frozen section-permanent section correlation is unknown. OBJECTIVE To determine factors important in laboratory improvement in frozen section-permanent section discordant and deferral rates by participation in a multi-institutional continuous quality improvement program. DESIGN Participants in the College of American Pathologists Q-Tracks program self-reported the number of anatomic pathology frozen-permanent section discordant and deferred cases in their laboratories by prospectively performing secondary review of intraoperative consultations. Laboratories participated in the program for 1 to 5 years and reported their data every quarter. We calculated mean and median discordant and deferred case frequencies and used mixed linear modeling to determine if length of participation in the program was associated with improved performance. PARTICIPANTS One hundred seventy-four laboratories self-reported data. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Mean frozen-permanent section discordant and deferred diagnostic frequencies and changes in these frequencies over time were measured. RESULTS The mean and median frozen-permanent section discordant frequencies were 1.36% and 0.70%, respectively. The mean and median deferred diagnostic frequencies were 2.35% and 1.20%, respectively. Longer participation in the Q-Tracks program was significantly associated (P = .04) with lower discordant frequencies; 4- or 5-year participation showed a decrease in discordant frequency of 0.99%, whereas 1-year participation showed a decrease in discordant frequency of 0.84%. Longer participation in the Q-Tracks monitor was associated with lower microscopic sampling frequencies for discordant diagnoses (P = .04). Increased length of participation in the Q-Tracks program was significantly associated (P = .04) with lower deferred diagnostic frequencies. CONCLUSIONS Long-term monitoring of frozen-permanent section correlation is associated with sustained improvement in performance.

Highly aggressive ALK-positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma with a leukemic phase and multi-organ involvement: a report of three cases and a review of the literature

Anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) is an aggressive neoplasm of T- or null cell phenotype and is recognized as a distinct clinicopathologic subtype of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) in the revised World Health Organization (WHO) classification of hematopoietic neoplasms. It is rarely associated with leukemic phase. Most cases with leukemic involvement are the small cell variant of ALCL. These cases often lack the pleomorphism seen in the common variant of ALCL and may be misdiagnosed. We report a series of three patients who presented with leukemic phase ALCL. The patients included an 11-year-old boy, a 29-year-old man, and a 59-year-old woman. The clinical and pathologic features of these cases are reviewed. The patients in our case series with leukemic phase ALCL exhibited rare clinical features. The patients presented with massive extranodal disease involving cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), liver, spleen, lungs, and bone marrow. CSF involvement was documented morphologically as well as by flow cytometry in two patients. Two of the patients had small cell variant and the third patient had common type ALCL. The neoplastic cells in all three patients were ALK positive; however these patients died within months of diagnosis. Leukemic phase ALCL is rare, and behaves in an aggressive manner. Some, but not all, cases in the literature presenting with peripheral blood involvement had small cell variant ALCL, as seen in two of our cases. The leukemic phase of ALCL should be considered when a T-cell leukemia with unusual morphologic features is encountered.

Bing-Neel Syndrome: A Case Report and Systematic Review of Clinical Manifestations, Diagnosis, and Treatment Options

BACKGROUND Bing-Neel syndrome is an extremely rare neurologic complication of Waldenström macroglobulinemia (WM) that was first described in 1936. It is associated with central nervous system infiltration by neoplastic lymphoplasmacytoid and plasma cells with or without cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) hyperglobulinemia. CASE REPORT We report a case of a 69-year-old white man with a 10-year history of WM. He was diagnosed with Bing-Neel syndrome based on magnetic resonance imaging and pathology studies of CSF. In addition, a comprehensive review of the reported cases of Bing-Neel syndrome in the up-to-date English-language literature was performed. RESULTS Our patient underwent successful treatment with cranial radiation and intrathecal chemotherapy. He has been in clinical and pathologic remission for 3 years following the completion of his treatment. Based on our literature review, we also summarize and discuss clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and treatment options for Bing-Neel syndrome. CONCLUSION Bing-Neel syndrome is a rare and potentially treatable complication of WM. Patients with a history of WM presenting with neurologic symptoms should be evaluated for possible Bing-Neel syndrome. Cranial radiation therapy alone or in combination with intrathecal chemotherapy is more likely to achieve sustainable remission than intrathecal chemotherapy alone.

The Effect of Continuous Monitoring of Cytologic-Histologic Correlation Data on Cervical Cancer Screening Performance

CONTEXT The use of Papanicolaou (Pap) test cytologic-histologic correlation in quality improvement activities is not well studied. OBJECTIVE To determine if continuous monitoring of correlation data improves performance. DESIGN Participants in the College of American Pathologists Q-Tracks program (213 laboratories) self-reported the number of Pap test-histologic biopsy correlation discrepancies every quarter for up to 8 years. A mixed linear model determined if the length of participation in the Q-Tracks program was associated with improved performance. Main outcome measures were predictive value of a positive Pap test, Pap test sensitivity, sampling sensitivity, and proportion of positive histologic diagnoses following a Pap test diagnosis of atypical squamous cells or atypical glandular cells. RESULTS Institutions evaluated 287,570 paired Pap test-histologic correlation specimens and found 98,424 (34.2%) true-positive Pap test correlations, 19,006 (6.6%) false-positive Pap test correlations, and 6575 (2.3%) false-negative Pap test correlations. The mean predictive value of a positive Pap test, sensitivity, screening and interpretive sensitivity, sampling sensitivity, and proportion of positive histologic diagnoses following a Pap test diagnosis of atypical squamous or glandular cells were 83.6%, 93.7%, 99.2%, 94.2%, 60.3%, and 38.8%, respectively. Longer participation was significantly associated with a higher predictive value of a positive Pap test (P = .01), higher Pap test sensitivity (P = .002), higher Pap test sampling sensitivity (P = .03), and higher proportion of positive histologic diagnoses for a Pap test diagnosis of atypical squamous cells (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS Long-term monitoring of cytologic-histologic correlation is associated with improvement in cytologic-histologic correlation performance.

Giant ileal inflammatory fibroid polyp causing small bowel obstruction: a case report and review of the literature.

IntroductionThere are several types of small bowel pathology that can lead to small bowel obstruction or intussusception. The etiology causing small bowel obstruction varies by age. Benign disease is the typical cause in children and adolescents while malignant or adhesive disease is far more common in older patients. Although cases of adult intussusception caused by benign processes are rare, there are reports of inflammatory fibroid polyps causing adult intussusception of the terminal ileum published in the literature.Case presentationWe present the case of a 70-year-old man with a multiple year history of intermittent episodes of bowel obstruction who was found to have a giant ileal inflammatory fibroid polyp causing intermittent small bowel obstruction. The patient underwent operative intervention and has now been symptom-free for three years.ConclusionSmall bowel lesions include both malignant and benign etiologies. The malignant etiologies include adenocarcinoma, carcinoid or lymphoma while benign lesions are typically lipomas, inflammatory polyps or adenomas. Inflammatory fibroid polyps are rare, benign lesions that can occur anywhere within the gastrointestinal tract. They are typically an incidental finding, but on rare occasions have been presented as the source of intussusception or obstruction.

The Role of Monitoring Interpretive Rates, Concordance Between Cytotechnologist and Pathologist Interpretations Before Sign-Out, and Turnaround Time in Gynecologic Cytology Quality Assurance: Findings From the College of American Pathologists Gynecologic Cytopathology Quality Consensus Conference Working Group 1

CONTEXT The College of American Pathologists (CAP) conducted a national survey of gynecologic cytology quality assurance (QA) practices. Experts in gynecologic cytology were asked to join 5 working groups that studied the survey data on different aspects of QA. Evaluating the survey data and follow-up questions online, together with a review of pertinent literature, the working groups developed a series of preliminary statements on good laboratory practices in cytology QA. These were presented at a consensus conference and electronic voting occurred. OBJECTIVE To evaluate a set of QA monitors in gynecologic cytology. Working group 1 evaluated (1) monitoring interpretive rate categories for Papanicolaou tests (Pap tests), (2) concordance of cytotechnologist and pathologist interpretations before sign-out, and (3) turnaround time for Pap tests. DATA SOURCES The statements are based on a survey of gynecologic cytology QA practice patterns and of opinions from working group members and consensus conference attendees. CONCLUSIONS The outcomes of this process demonstrate the current state of practice patterns in gynecologic cytology QA. Monitoring interpretive rates for all Bethesda System categories is potentially useful, and it is most useful to monitor interpretive rates for cytotechnologists individually and in comparison to the entire laboratory. Laboratories need to determine what level of discrepancy between cytotechnologist and pathologist interpretations of Pap tests is important to track. Laboratories should consider formalizing procedures and policies to adjudicate such discrepant interpretations. Turnaround time should be monitored in gynecologic cytology, but individual laboratories should determine how to measure and use turnaround time internally.

The value of monitoring human papillomavirus DNA results for papanicolaou tests diagnosed as atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance : A college of american pathologists q-probes study of 68 institutions

CONTEXT Papanicolaou (Pap) tests are often diagnosed as atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC-US). Human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA testing has been proposed as a quality metric for this diagnosis. OBJECTIVE To measure the frequency of HPV positivity in Pap tests diagnosed as ASC-US and to examine laboratory variables that are associated with institutional deviation from the mean percent of HPV positivity. DESIGN As part of a College of American Pathologist Q-Probes program, 68 participating laboratories retrospectively identified approximately 50 consecutive ASC-US Pap tests that had HPV testing results. RESULTS The mean percentage of HPV positivity for ASC-US was 43.74% among institutions surveyed, but it had a broad distribution, with an SD of 17.77%. Associations were found for lower difference of the institutional mean from the surveyed interinstitutional mean percentage of positive HPV with (1) higher numbers of Pap tests in the past year that had HPV testing, (2) in-house HPV testing, and (3) teaching hospitals. All 3 factors correlated with a larger volume of Pap tests per institution. An association was found between patient age and the probability of a positive HPV result, indicating a dependence upon prevalence of HPV. CONCLUSIONS Larger volumes of Pap tests may offer an opportunity to gain greater comfort in interpreting Pap tests. While there is significant variability in interinstitutional HPV-positive rates in ASC-US Pap tests, monitoring the HPV-positive rate in ASC-US Pap tests is a valuable broad measure of quality. Performance beyond 2 SDs of the mean should prompt reassessment of diagnostic criteria used in the evaluation of Pap tests and/or investigation of the prevalence of HPV positivity in the population from which the Pap tests are obtained.

The Rate of Manual Microscopic Examination of Urine Sediment: A College of American Pathologists Q-Probes Study of 11 243 Urinalysis Tests From 88 Institutions

CONTEXT The manual microscopic examination (MME) of the urine sediment is an imprecise and labor-intensive procedure. Many laboratories have developed rules from clinical parameters or urinalysis results to limit the number of these examinations. OBJECTIVE To determine the rate of urinalysis specimens on which an MME of the urine sediment was performed, document how various rules influence this rate, and determine whether any new information was learned from the MME. DESIGN Participants selected 10 random urinalysis tests received during each traditional shift and determined if an MME was performed until a total of 50 urinalysis tests with an MME were reviewed. Participants recorded the rules that elicited an MME and any new information learned from such an examination. RESULTS The MME rate for the median institution was 62.5%. An MME of urine was most frequently done for an abnormal urinalysis result and often resulted in new information being learned, irrespective of the rule that elicited the MME. The median institution learned new information as a result of the manual examination 66% of the time. The use of an automated microscopic analyzer was associated with fewer manual examinations (P = .005), whereas the ability of a clinician to order a manual examination was associated with more manual examinations (P = .004). CONCLUSIONS The use of an automated microscopic analyzer may decrease the number of MMEs. An MME when triggered by an abnormal macroscopic appearance of urine, a physician request, or virtually any positive urinalysis result often resulted in new information.