Routine Cellular Pathology
|Cellular Pathology
CLINICAL APPLICATION:
The UK NEQAS CPT General Pathology (Routine Histopathology) scheme is aimed at laboratories / organisations performing a routine histopathology service, as part of Cellular Pathology. General Pathology (Routine Histopathology) utilises both the haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stain and special stains, both of which play a critical role in tissue-based diagnosis. The H&E is the fundamental stain performed on all samples in every routine histopathology case. It is also the stain that is examined by the pathologist, and the best stain to show basic morphology, underlying tissue structures and conditions. Special stains are a fundamental component of routine histopathology. The term “special stains” has long been used to refer to a large number of alternative staining techniques that are used when the H&E does not provide all the information the pathologist needs. These stains allow highly trained pathologists to view, under a microscope, tissue morphology (structure) or to look for the presence or prevalence of particular cell types, structures or microorganisms such as bacteria. How the special stains are utilised depends on the type of sample and the disease category being evaluated. Methods of demonstration ranges from traditional tinctorial methods, to histochemical depending on both the disease type and the testing organisation. Immunocytochemistry can also be utilised but is not part of this proficiency testing scheme.
PROGRAMME OF ANALYSIS:
UK NEQAS CPT General Pathology scheme assesses participants on 2 archival surgical Haematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) stained sections, alongside designated special staining methods at each distribution, 6 distributions annually. Using an agreed annual schedule, participants who have registered with UK NEQAS CPT, receive and return to UK NEQAS CPT sections of tissue that they have tested for an agreed test item.
Details of the performance criteria for this programme can be obtained from UK NEQAS Cellular Pathology Technique (CPT) directly.
Email: cpt@ukneqas.org.uk
Telephone: +44 (0) 191 445 2719
Cellular Pathology Technique (CPT)
UK NEQAS CPT is an international organisation providing a comprehensive range of EQA and proficiency testing programmes for all aspects of tissue diagnostics. UK NEQAS CPT has been successfully running for over 20 years, providing a secure, established service, encompassing EQA and proficiency testing programmes, education and support for all practicing pathology laboratories in the UK and to other pathology based facilities throughout the world. Our participating laboratories have collectively submitted over 190,000 slides to our scheme, to be graded by our experts, to guide and to ensure best practice and gold standard results. We ensure that all our participants receive high quality, appropriate, clinically relevant and challenging samples that fully meet their facility’s requirements; and that our assessment of those samples is consistent, carried out by qualified assessors, graded and anonymously compared and peer reviewed. UK NEQAS CPT is a UKAS accredited proficiency testing provider No. 8268
Contact Details
- The Pathology Centre
- Queen Elizabeth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
- Sheriff Hill
- Gateshead
- Tyne & Wear
- NE9 6SX
Cellular Pathology Technique (CPT)
- Telephone: +44 (0) 191 445 2719
- Fax: +44 (0) 191 445 5994
- Email: cpt@ukneqas.org.uk
- Web: http://www.ukneqascpt.org.uk