Dear Histonetters:

Do histology laboratories have written Quality Assurance/Quality Control
(QA/QC) Programs?  According to our Hospital Laboratories' QA Supervisor,
the histology lab does not need a QA Program separate from the QA Program
for the  Department of Lab Medicine and Pathology.  Our Histology Lab  has
all the policies and procedures to meet and pass the College of American
Pathologists checklist requirements for accreditation (documentation for
routine histology, special stain controls, immunohistology reagents and
controls, instrument operation and preventive maintenance use records,
competency records for daily performance and yearly assessments, etc.)  One
of our pathologists asked me to find out if any histology  labs have a
written program for QA/QC.  I would be grateful for any input on this issue,
I think other labs out in HistoLand may also be interested.

Mark Briones
Valley Children's Hospital
Madera CA
vchanatomicpath@hotmail.com