Adherence to practice guidelines for atypical glandular cells on cervical cytology.

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-2013

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Atypical glandular cells (AGC) on cervical cytology are high-risk, requiring an extensive evaluation. Compliance with practice guidelines for AGC, however, has been low. Some AGC cytology reports contain cytopathologist recommendations for evaluation. This study determines whether evaluation rates for AGC have improved over time, and whether cytopathologists' recommendations correlate with the types of evaluation women receive.

METHODS: Evaluation rates from 284 women with AGC (2004-2007) were compared with findings from 1998-2001. Rates of evaluations were compared based on cytology report recommendations.

RESULTS: A total of 76.1% of the AGC cases had histologic sampling, and 58.8% had a comprehensive evaluation. These rates are higher than those from 1998-2001 (63.5% and 35.8%, respectively; P

CONCLUSIONS: Adherence to practice guidelines for the evaluation of women with AGC has improved but continues to be suboptimal. Our findings suggest that continuing education and including practice guidelines on AGC cytology reports may improve compliance.

Publication Title

Cancer Cytopathol

Volume

121

Issue

1

First Page

47

Last Page

53

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