Interpretive Diagnostic Error Reduction

Adoption of secondary and timely case reviews of surgical pathology and cytology cases will help detect and prevent diagnostic interpretive errors, leading to more accurate diagnoses and improved patient care.

To assist pathologists, the CAP has collaborated with the Association of Directors of Anatomic and Surgical Pathology to update the 2016 evidence-based guideline, "Interpretive Diagnostic Error Reduction in Surgical Pathology and Cytology." 

Six draft recommendations, two of which are strong recommendations and four of which are good practice recommendations are now available for public comment period from October 23 - November 20, 2024.

The expert interdisciplinary panel encourages all stakeholders to read and comment on the draft statements.

Open Comment Period Information

All stakeholder—general and specialty surgeons, oncologists, pathologists, histotechnologists, cardiologists, hematologists, nurses, allied health professionals, hospital or laboratory administrators, patient advocacy group representatives, and patients—are encouraged to provide feedback on these draft statements by November 20, 2024.

Review the following resources to provide your feedback:

• Data extraction references
• Draft recommendations and GRADE glossary
• Expert panel disclosures of interest report

The information, data, and draft recommendations provided by the College of American Pathologists are presented for informational and public feedback purposes only. The draft recommendations and supporting documents will be removed on November 27, 2024. The draft recommendations along with the public comments received and completed evidence review will be reassessed by the expert panel in order to formulate the final recommendations. These draft materials should not be stored, adapted, or redistributed in any manner.

Please note: comments are not posted automatically. All comments will be posted on a weekly basis beginning October 30, 2024.