[Quality assurance in a department of pathology and anatomy]

The author describes a quality assurance programme in a department of anatomic pathology. An internal quality assurance committee consisting of four consultants, two chief technicians and a chief secretary meets monthly to decide what measures should be carried out each month. The main activities have been to review random cases of surgical pathology, frozen sections, diagnostic revisions, turn-around times and single event reports. Problems of diagnosis are discussed at a medical staff meeting before they are put before the committee. The programme has been well received in the department.