Individual estimated sensitivity and workload for manual screening of SurePath gynecologic cytology

Data correlating individual screening sensitivity in gynecologic cytology and workload is limited. We compared the estimated sensitivity of manual screening of SurePath slides with individual workload. Estimated sensitivity determined by rapid prescreening was correlated with total workload in a laboratory performing manual screening of SurePath preparations for a 1 year period. There were 12 CTs with a total daily workload ranging from 8-35 slides. The mean estimated sensitivity for SurePath was 97.0% (range 91-100%). The mean estimated sensitivity for the lowest half workload (8-23 slides/day) was significantly higher than that for the highest half workload (23-35 slides/day) (98.3 versus 95.7%, P ≤ 0.001). The highest workload that achieved 100% estimated sensitivity was 30 slides/day. For manual screening of SurePath slides, individual estimated sensitivity is correlated with workload even at relatively low daily workloads.