Recommendations for quality assurance and improvement in surgical and autopsy pathology

Current regulations require that departments of pathology have a structured and active program of quality assurance (QA) and quality improvement (QI), with the goals of enhancing patient safety, minimizing error, ensuring timely delivery of reports, and monitoring physician competence. Types of potential error may evolve over time and, as regulations become progressively more stringent, QA/QI programs need to be constantly updated. The Association of Directors of Anatomic and Surgical Pathology herein provides guidelines for QA and QI in surgical and autopsy pathology.