Accreditation of Managed Pathology Networks

CPA Guidance on the Accreditation of Managed Pathology Networks

1. The Department of Health has published Draft Guidance on Modernising Pathology Services.

2. The guidance advocates the establishment of managed pathology networks, while recognizing issues of accountability and the need for an incremental approach to network development.

3. CPA will be asked increasingly to accredit a variety of managed networks as these evolve to meet local needs and circumstances.

4. CPA needs to formulate clear guidance on what is and is not a managed pathology network capable of accreditation.

The crucial test of a managed pathology network is that its Quality Management System can be assessed through a single horizontal audit at any one of its component units.

What is an accreditable Managed Pathology Network? CPA`s View

5. Every unit in the network will comply with all CPA standards but those key standards, mainly `A` standards, defining a true managed network are as follows:

> The network, or the parent organisation of which it is a part, shall be an entity that can be held legally responsible (A1.1)

> It shall have a single Quality Management System (A1.2)

> It shall be defined in a single organisational chart (A1.4)

> It shall have a single Quality Policy (A3)

> There shall be a single Quality Manual (A6) which may contain separate sections for its component units

> There may be more than one Quality Manager (A7) but they shall operate to the same policies and procedures

> There shall be a single Annual Management Review (A11)

> There shall be regular meetings between management and the staff involved in all branches of the network (B8)

> Users shall be assured of equity of access to pathology data ( D2) and interpretive advice (G2,G5)

> There shall be a single User Manual (E1) which may contain separate sections for its constituent units

> There shall be a common format for requesting investigations (E2) and reporting results (G2)

> There shall be a common format for written procedures ( SOP`s) across the network (A8,A9,A10,B3,C6,D1,D2,D3,H1,E3,E4,E5,E6,F2,F3,G1,G3,G4)

6. A managed network will therefore :

> Operate under a single CPA reference number

> Submit one application form with one Quality Manual

> Be subject to a single assessment for which there will be a single report

> Have a single CPA status for all its constituent units

7. If a network feels it does not meet these standards during its formative period of incremental development, it is advised to apply as separate departments retaining their own registration numbers and separate CPA status.

8. In CPA`s view, a managed pathology network must be distinguished from
for example :

> A Ttrust merger at management level where pathology departments retain separate identities

> networks of cooperating professionals without identified management arrangements.

Policies & Procedures
Jan 2003
PAC input Feb 5