Promoting Quality and Patient Safety

ASCP supports the development and maintenance of high-quality practice standards for laboratory testing to ensure patient safety and reduce medical errors associated with laboratory medicine and pathology.

To promote Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) in the lab, the ASCP Center for Quality and Patient Safety offers online self-directed CQI courses for laboratory leadership and the entire laboratory team, along with the ASCP National Pathology Quality Registry (NPQR), a national benchmarking program that promotes best practices within laboratory medicine and pathology.

To support quality assurance, CheckPath, Cytology Assessment, and Proficiency Testing programs set the standard for quality slide imaging - both physical and virtual - while meeting ABPath CC Part IV requirements and fulfilling CAP LAP, CLIA, and The Joint Commission accreditation requirements.

 

Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) Programs
Quality Assurance Programs
Access ASCP
Quality Improvement Tools for Your Lab

ASCP Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI): Assuring Patient and Laboratory Team Safety

On-demand CQI education and resources designed for laboratory leaders and their teams.

ASCP CQI aids laboratory teams to assess their practice operations and improve performance, with the objective of increasing both patient and laboratory team member safety. This guided curriculum includes on-demand courses split between five modules, including a suite of downloadable tools for use in the lab.

ASCP CQI will help laboratories elevate continuous quality improvement and patient safety efforts by:

  • Effectively developing a culture of quality
  • Improving communication and handoffs with a meaningful, shared quality language
  • Developing and navigating quality plans and projects
  • Leading team-based, patient-centric quality projects
  • Utilizing CQI tools for improved outcomes

Program Information

Delivered entirely online as on-demand courses and resources, this program offers a complete framework consisting of five modules:

  1. Culture of Quality
  2. Language of Quality
  3. CQI Plans and Projects
  4. Leading CQI Projects
  5. CQI Tools

Participants will earn a Certificate of Completion after successfully completing their coursework.

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Leading Laboratories

The Leading Laboratories designation recognizes laboratories that demonstrate an exemplary focus on impacting quality patient outcomes.

Through this focus, they in turn increase the visibility and prominence of the medical laboratory team among clinical colleagues, hospital leadership, and patients.

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Apply Now

The Leading Laboratories designation supports a positive, patient-centric mission, increasing visibility to the vital role laboratories play in a patient’s healthcare journey.

Developed in collaboration between ASCP and the Joint Commission, this designation sets the gold standard for laboratory excellence, providing:

  • Public recognition of a laboratory’s meaningful achievements in improving patient outcomes
  • Evidence of a laboratory’s commitment to the necessary ongoing professional development of its team
  • Proof of laboratory leadership’s commitment to their team and to patients

How to Apply

Team Based Products

CheckPath

CheckPath is a virtual-slide image-based assessment program designed to keep you current in your field and meet your institutional, licensure, and CMP requirements.

Features

  • NEW! 100% virtual cases and images available 24/7
  • High quality cases that reflect your daily practice
  • Immediate online response turnaround
  • Includes molecular diagnostic and ancillary testing when appropriate
  • Meets CAP LAP accreditation requirement for interlaboratory comparison
  • Meets both Part II (Lifelong Learning) and Part IV (Improvement in Health and Healthcare) CC requirements

Specialty Areas

  • Anatomic Pathology
  • Clinical Pathology 
  • Hematopathology

Pricing

Program Prices

  • All Virtual Materials: $799

Plus a Per Person Participant Fee

  • $109 per person fee

The total price for this product includes the price of the base package fee plus the per person Participant Fee.

Example: CheckPath at $799 plus a Participant Fee for 7 people at $109 each equals a price of $1,562.

Download the 2021 CheckPath Order Form
Download the 2022 CheckPath Order Form
Download the 2023 CheckPath Order Form
Download the 2024 CheckPath Order Form


Existing Customers Order Here

Access My Education

Learn how to utilize CheckPath and other education tools.


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CME, CMLE and CC Information

  • The American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education (CME) for physicians. 
  • The ASCP designates this enduring material activity for a maximum 28 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
  • This activity meets requirements for CC (formerly MOC) Part II (Lifelong Learning and Self-Assessment) and Part IV (Improvement in Health and Healthcare) requirements.

GYN Assessment

Assess and enhance your team's interpretive skills in gynecologic cytopathology testing and fulfill your CAP LAP accreditation and CC (formerly MOC) requirements for interlaboratory comparison.

ASCP-GYN-ASSESMENT_flat_horiz

Cytology Assessment Features

  • High-quality glass slide cases that mimic your day-to-day practice
  • Immediate online access to comparative results and case studies
  • Meets CAP LAP accreditation requirements for interlaboratory comparison
  • Receive up to 15 CME/CMLE credits and meet requirements for CC Part IV (Improvement in Health and Healthcare)

Virtual Cases Now Available!

  • Access to cases 24/7 from any location
  • NEW! Each case will have links to both DOTTED and UNDOTTED whole slide imaged slides ... YOU CHOOSE!
  • Replicates screening without requiring a microscope
  • Provides you a year to complete with no deadlines to return materials
  • Allows for group review of cases
  • Gain familiarity to cutting edge Digital Pathology for interlaboratory
  • Receive up to 15 CME/CMLE credits and meet requirements for CC Part IV (Improvement in Health and Healthcare)

Pricing

Program Price

  • GYN Assessment: $799
  • Virtual GYN Assessment: $599

Per Person Participant Fee 

  • $109 per person

The total price for this product includes the price of the base package plus the per person Participant Fee.

Example: GYN Assessment at $799 plus a Participant Fee for 7 people at $109 each equals a price of $1,562.

Download the 2023 GYN Assessment Order Form
Download the 2024 GYN Assessment Order Form

Existing Customer Order Here

Access My Education

Learn how to access course content and other educational tools.

Access My Education

CME, CMLE and CC (formerly MOC) Information

  • The American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education (CME) for physicians. 
  • The ASCP designates this enduring material activity for 15 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
  • The ASCP designates this activity for a maximum of the indicated number of CMLE credits. This activity meets CMP and state licensure requirements for laboratory personnel.
  • This activity meets requirements for CC (formerly MOC) Part IV  (Improvement in Health and Healthcare).

ASCP NonGYN Assessment

Assess and enhance your team's interpretive skills in non-gynecologic cytopathology testing and fulfill your CAP LAP accreditation and CC (formerly MOC) requirements for interlaboratory comparison.

ASCP-NON-GYN-ASSESMENT_flat_horiz

Cytology Assessment Features

  • High-quality glass slide cases that mimic your day-to-day practice
  • Immediate online access to comparative results and case studies
  • Meets CAP LAP accreditation requirements for interlaboratory comparison
  • Receive up to 20 CME/CMLE credits and meet requirements for CC Part IV (Improvement in Health and Healthcare)

Virtual Cases Now Available!

  • Access to cases 24/7 from any location
  • NEW! Each case will have links to both DOTTED and UNDOTTED whole slide imaged slides ... YOU CHOOSE!
  • Replicates screening without requiring a microscope
  • Provides you a year to complete with no deadlines to return materials
  • Allows for group review of cases
  • Gain familiarity to cutting edge Digital Pathology for interlaboratory
  • Receive up to 20 CME/CMLE credits and meet requirements for CC Part IV (Improvement in Health and Healthcare)

ASCP NonGYN Digital Image Program

Created using the same features as the Assessment Program, participants receive all of the benefits outlined above, plus:

  • Receive up to 20 CME/CMLE credits and meet requirements for CC Part IV (Improvement in Health and Healthcare)
  • High-resolution digital images on paper for all 20 cases
  • Online access to educational case studies
  • Immediate access to target answers
  • Laboratory and participant peer-comparison statistics
  • A high-quality printed copy of Educational Case Studies

Pricing

Program Prices

  • NonGYN Assessment: $899
  • NonGYN Virtual Assessment: $699
  • NonGYN Digital: $799

Per Person Participant Fee

  • $109 per person

The total price for this product includes the price of the base package plus the per person Participant Fee.

Example: NonGYN Assessment at $899 plus a Participant Fee for 7 people at $109 each equals a price of $1,662.

Download the 2023 NonGYN Assessment Order Form
Download the 2024 NonGYN Assessment Order Form

Existing Customer Order Here

Access My Education

Learn how to access course content and other educational tools.

Access My Education

CME, CMLE and CC Information

  • The American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education (CME) for physicians. 
  • The ASCP designates this enduring material activity for 20 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
  • The ASCP designates this activity for 20 CMLE credits. This activity meets CMP and state licensure requirements for laboratory personnel.
  • This activity meets requirements for CC (formerly MOC) Part IV (Improvement in Health and Healthcare).

GYN Proficiency Testing and Lab Comparison

The CMS-approved gynecologic cytology proficiency testing program is designed according to federal CLIA regulations to test basic locator and diagnostic skills for gynecologic cytology specimens. It leverages the experience gained from over 40,000 individual tests, as well as the collective knowledge of ASCP cytopathology experts.

GYN PT Program Features

  • Choose any day to test
  • Choose the slide prep type that mirrors your practice
  • SAME DAY RESULTS when you select the CMS-approved ASCP GYN Proctor Portal for testing
  • 95% of results within 7 days when you select the Traditional GYN PT testing, 100% of results within 15 days

Learn How

Use the ALL NEW GYN Online Proctor Portal which provides same day results!

The new portal allows you to:

  • Access the online Proctor Exam.
  • Acknowledge receipt of testing materials.
  • Verify and inspect testing materials.
  • Set up and manage internal testing events and participants.
  • Assign testing materials.
  • Print entry response forms and enter responses.
  • Finalize the testing event.
  • Return the testing materials.
  • And more!

Lab Comparison Features

Add the Lab Comparison educational option to get an additional shipment of 12 high-quality glass slides, with comparative results and statistics, and up to 6 CME/CMLE credits.

CMS & CLIA Regulations

  • Per the CMS, all laboratories that have “cytology (GYN)” listed on their CLIA license are required to enroll each of their laboratory or hospital sites performing gynecologic cytology into an approved GYN cytology proficiency test program.  
  • Per CLIA, all laboratories must ensure that each cytotechnologist and pathologist examining or interpreting gynecologic cytology preparations is enrolled and tested according to the regulatory protocol within the specified timeframes by a CMS-approved Cytology PT program each calendar year. 
  • Those individuals not currently employed or working as locum tenens can test directly with ASCP to fulfill this annual mandate.

Pricing

Program Prices 

  • GYN Proficiency Testing: $1,099
  • GYN Proficiency Testing and Lab Comparison: $1,499
Plus a Per Person Participant Fee 
  • $109 per person

Recording Fee for Each CLIA GYN Certificate

  • $500 per additional certificate

Locum Tenens GYN PT Testing Fee

  • See Enrollment Form

The total price for this product includes the price of the test package plus the per person Participant Fee.

Download the 2023 GYN PT Order Form
Download the 2024 GYN PT Order Form
Download the 2024 GYN PT Proctor Instructions
Download the Online Proctor Portal User Guide
Download the 2023 ASCP GYN PT™ Locum Tenens Enrollment Form
Download the 2024 ASCP GYN PT™ Locum Tenens Enrollment Form

Existing Customer Order Here

Access My Education

Learn how to access course content and other educational tools.

Access My Education

CME, CMLE and CC (formerly MOC) Information

  • CME/CMLE is available only for the Lab Comparison portion of the GYN PT program.
  • The American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education (CME) for physicians. 
  • The ASCP designates this enduring material activity for a maximum of the of 6 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
  • The ASCP designates this activity for a maximum of the indicated number of CMLE credits. This activity meets CMP and state licensure requirements for laboratory personnel.
  • This activity meets requirements for CC (formerly MOC) Part IV (Improvement in Health and Healthcare) Requirements.
Resources to Manage Your Staff Learning

What Is Access ASCP?

Access ASCP is a user portal designed to manage the administration of products purchased for your staff. Institutional products that your designated site administrator can manage include:

  • CheckPath
  • GYN Proficiency Testing and Lab Comparison
  • GYN & NonGYN Assessment
  • ASCP Case Reports

Site Administration

A site administrator has appropriate ASCP login permissions to actively purchase and manage institutional products within the ASCP website. These permissions allow a site administrator to perform the following functions:

  • Place New Orders
  • Manage Orders
  • Assign Permissions
  • View Employee CE Credits

Program Administration

A program administrator is someone with appropriate ASCP login permissions to actively manage assessment and proficiency testing programs within the ASCP website. These credentials allow a program administrator to perform the following functions:

  • Receipt & Shipment Management
  • Laboratory Comparison Reports
  • PT Proctor Exam
 

Access ASCP Pre-Requisites for Customers

Before starting administrative work in Access ASCP, the site administrator needs to have the appropriate permissions and be set up in the ASCP database.

  • The new site administrator must have an “individual” ASCP account type.
  • You must provide a list of every institution the new site administrator will manage.
  • You must provide a complete list of all employees associated with each institutional product.

Features and Functionality

Managing administrative tasks in Access ASCP is simple and intuitive. Assigning permissions for other administrators, adding participants to products, and generating employee CE credit reports are easily managed through the online portal.

Administrative Tasks

Assign various permissions to other individuals within a particular institution. Once assigned, the designated individual has privileges based on the following assignment for that institution.

Institutional Site Administrator Permissions

An Institutional Site Administrator has access to:

  • Place New Orders
  • Manage Orders
  • Assign Permissions
  • View Employee CE Reports

Webcast Seminar Manager Permissions

A Webcast Seminar Manager has permission to:

  • Place New Orders (Webcasts Only)
  • Assign Participants to Orders

Steps for Managing Site Administration Tasks

  1. Login to ASCP
  2. Select the correct institution from the “My Institutions” dropdown menu in the
  3. Access ASCP Dashboard Card
  4. Choose the appropriate site administration task:
    1. Place New Orders
    2. Manage Orders
    3. Assign Permissions
    4. View Employee CE Reports

Place a New Institutional Order

  • On the Place Orders page, select a specific product
  • Add it to the shopping cart, and proceed to the payment screen to complete the order 
  • Click “Checkout” on the cart screen to make a purchase

Manage Orders

In addition to viewing order details, site administrators can assign or remove available participants to utilize an educational product.

View Employee CE Reports

On the CE Reports page, generate a report that displays Credits Earned by Individuals or a graph that shows an Employee Progress Summary. 

Login into Access ASCP