CytologyPT

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This past several years have seen the implementation of National Cytology Proficiency Testing in the United States. As of December 31, 2005, all individuals performing GYN cytology interpretations were required to have at least been tested by a CMS approved Cytology Proficiency Testing (PT) Provider (e.g. for 2005, only MIME). On January 23, 2006, the CMS notified the CAP, ASCP and Cytology Laboratory Directors that for 2006, they would continue the educational approach to Cytology PT (see http://cytopathnet.org/article45). This would then allow for further evaluation of 2005 testing results data and concerns raised by professional organizations. This approach is extended for 2007, and was addressed in a letter to State Agencies in December 2006. A new bill was introduced in the House in the first part of 2007, the Cytology Proficiency Improvement Act of 2007. In December 2007, S. 2510 was introduced (similar to H.R. 1237). This bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP). No action was taken until April 2008, where H.R. 1237 was amended (so identical to S. 2510) and passed by the House of Representatives, which would terminate cytology PT and replace it with continuing medical education requirement. In December 2008, the 110th Congressional session ended without enactment of any cytology PT bill. As of January 15, 2009, a proposed rule change was submitted by the CDC and CMS, with a request for comments by no later than March, 15, 2009. The last CLIAC meeting, held on September 1-2, 2010, reviewed these comments and recommendations. At that time, CMS recommended a withdrawal of the proposed cytology PT rule, and proposed continuation of the current PT standards.

I have put together some information on this site to use as tools to learn about the PT requirements, share experiences with colleagues, and evaluate and critique the entire process. The best tool available is the sharing of information with each other, so I encourage everyone to report their Cytology PT experience in this forum. I will be posting information as I receive it as well, but please feel free to submit material yourself directly to this site. If you haven't already done so, please participate in our Survey http://cytopathnet.org/surveys on Cytology PT. TIP: You may also navigate this topic using the arrows at the top of this page, or follow the backlinks dropdown menu.

Table of Contents:

• CMSInformationalSupplementOnCytologyProficiencyTesting
  • 42_CFR_493
• Future of Cytology Proficiency Testing Regulations
• ASCP E-Policy News - March 2005_article-put
• Future of Cytology Proficiency Testing Regulations
• Cytology PT FollowUp
• CytologyPTReferral
• CytologyPTScorecards

Useful Links

• Link to CMS Fact Sheet: https://www.cms.hhs.gov/apps/media/fact_sheets.asp
• For more information on CLIA, please visit the CMS web site: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/CLIA/
• Cytology MOCK Exam-Kodachrome?only-cytotechnologist scoring (http://cytopathnet.org/tiki-take_quiz.php?quizId=2)
• Cytology Blogs (http://cytopathnet.org/tiki-view_blog.php?blogId=2)
• Cytology PT Forums (http://cytopathnet.org/tiki-view_forum_thread.php?forumId=6&comments_parentId=91)
• CMS Informational Supplement on Cytology PT (http://cytopathnet.org/tiki-index.php?page_ref_id=11or http://www.cms.hhs.gov/CLIA/02_CytologyProficiencyTesting.asp)
• CYTOPATHNET Online Campus http://campus.cytopathnet.org.

Attached Files

•  2009 Final Testing Results
•  2008 Final Testing Results
•  Notification Cytology PT Referral Letter
•  2007 Final Testing Results
•  2006 Final Testing Results
•  2006 CLIAC Cytology Update presentation
•  2007 State Survey Agencies Letter
•  Final 2005 Testing Results
•  CMS Informational Supplement 2006 (PDF)
•  CMSO Letter to Cytology Laboratory Directors
•  CMSO Director Letter to CAP (August 2005)
•  Letter to State Survey Agencies-1-23-06
•  Cytology PT 2006- Letter to Medical Directors
•  Cytology PT Results
•  Testing Process-Overview
•  Personnel requirements
•  CMS Informational Supplement (PDF)
•  CytoPTEnrollTable72905(3).pdf
•  cytology.pt.labdir033005.pdf
•  cytology.pt.labdir013105.pdf

Recent News

Perhaps? CMS Recommends Withdraw of Proposed Cytology PT Rule

By: Jana Sullinger, MD  On: Thu 21 of Oct., 2010 23:00 MDT  (5232 Reads)

Rating: (9.99/10)

At the last CLIAC meeting held Sept 1-2, 2010, CMS recommended withdrawal of the proposed cytology PT rule. CMS suggested continuation of current PT standards.

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Cytology Proficiency Testing Proposed Rule

By: Jana Sullinger, MD  On: Sat 02 of May, 2009 17:45 MDT  (8319 Reads)

Rating: (7.00/10)

The Cytology Proficiency Testing Proposed Rule was published in the Federal Register on January 16, 2009.

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ASCP Acquires Complete MIME Cytology Product Line

By: Jana Sullinger, MD  On: Tue 28 of Feb., 2006 08:23 MST  (12002 Reads)

Rating: (9.99/10)

ASCP Now Offering Cytology PT The American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) has acquired the complete cytology product line of the Midwest Institute for Medical Education (MIME), and will immediately offer CMS-approved gynecological cytology proficiency testing and education.

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CMS Announces Continuation of Educational Approach for Cytology PT in 2006

By: Jana Sullinger, MD  On: Tue 24 of Jan., 2006 14:59 MST  (14993 Reads)

Rating: (9.99/10)

SPECIAL REPORT Educational Approach for Cytology PT to Continue in 2006 The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced yesterday (1-23-06) in a letter addressed to Cytology Laboratory Directors (http://cytopathnet.org/tiki-download_file.php?fileId=195) that they will be continuing the educational approach to Cytology PT for 2006. The CMS acknowledged the efforts of the professional community in meeting the mandate for 2005, and affirmed its national effort in improving the healthcare of women, for calendar year (CY) 2006. This follows a December 22, 2005 letter (CAP Letter) from CAP President, Thomas M. Sodeman, MD, FCAP, calling for "...the Department to extend the educational status of this program for an additional year." CMS notified CAP leaders on December 29, 2005 that they were preparing a recommendation to suspend cytology proficiency testing (PT) sanctions in 2006. Yesterday's letter from CMS describes that "...[i]n the educational approach, laboratories will not have deficiencies cited or have sanctions imposed against their CLIA certificate, provided they:

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CMS to Consider Suspending Cytology PT Penalties in 2006

By: Jana Sullinger  On: Fri 30 of Dec., 2005 08:15 MST  (5614 Reads)

Rating: (9.99/10)

SPECIAL REPORT CMS to Consider Suspending Cytology PT Penalties in 2006 In a conference call yesterday with the top CAP leaders, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) officials indicated they are preparing a recommendation to suspend cytology proficiency testing (PT) sanctions in 2006, which would maintain the program as it has been conducted in 2005.

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