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Blinded review of Papanicolaou smears
Author(s) -
Gill Gary W.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
cancer cytopathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/cncr.20874
Subject(s) - papanicolaou stain , medicine , papanicolaou test , cervical cancer , family medicine , gynecology , medical physics , cancer
The author reported that cytotechnologists and pathologists should not be held accountable for the local outcome consequences of global process shortcomings. Even if all identifiable process control factors were addressed and implemented, errors still would occur. False‐negative Papanicolaou smears arise from the nature of the process, not the negligence of the practitioner. Respected cancer advocacy organizations should educate the public regarding the limitations of Papanicolaou test performance.