Background
Over the past few years the RCPA Serology QAP (SQAP) has received requests to introduce a QA module for HPV DNA. Mr Mark van Asten drove the concept of QA for HPV DNA and recommended the inclusion of Assoc. Prof Sepehr Tabrizi in the project who was crucial to the project’s success. The advice and guidance provided by Mr Mark van Asten during this “establishment” phase is much appreciated.A Focus Group Meeting was held in Sydney in July 2007 to develop objectives and strategies to ensure that the QA module was relevant and useful for participants. This group comprised:
Prof. Ian Frazer Professor/Director, Diamantina Institute for Cancer Immunology and Metabolic Medicine, QLD
Assoc Prof. Sepehr Tabrizi Senior Research Scientist, Department of Microbiology, The Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne. WHO Reference Laboratory for HPV
Dr. Ian Gardner CEO, RCPA Quality Assurance Programs Pty Ltd
Ms. Cheryl Jones Victorian Cytology Service (at the time of the meeting). RESIGNED 5/11/07 from HPV DNA project due to other commitments
Ms Deane Byers RCPA Serology QAP
Ms Ros Escott RCPA Serology QAP
Apologies were received from Mr. Mark van Asten, Prof Suzanne Garland and Prof William Rawlinson. Top of page
The focus group consulted on appropriate panels and method for its preparation. A number of objectives were established:
- To prepare two Pilot Studies so that the most suitable medium for HPV DNA specimens could be fully evaluated. (Dry swab and PreservCyt specimens). Sepehr Tabrizi to evaluate and prepare specimens.
- To implement stability studies during the Pilot Study stage.
- To enlist 20 participants for each Pilot Study who were committed to providing feedback and suggestions to improve with each survey.
- To enlist further members of the HPV DNA Committee so that each stage of the process in developing a QA Module could be fully evaluated. Possibly survey results could be used during the next revision of NPAAC Guidelines.
- To develop an appropriate questionnaire and website data entry screens that would be modified/ adjusted in response to participant feedback/ suggestions.
Acknowledgements
Prof Ian Frazer and Assoc. Prof Sepehr Tabrizi were instrumental in the development and implementation of the HPV DNA Module as part of the RCPA Serology QAP. Both were generous with their time, attendance at meetings and at all times responded to requests for advice and guidance. Prof Ian Frazer did not receive payment or reimbursement for his input into the project.The Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne (Assoc. Prof Sepehr Tabrizi and Ms. Anna-Maria Costa) and the Serology QAP (Deane Byers and Ros Escott) received reimbursement for costs incurred during the development and operational phases of the two Pilot Studies. The QUPP grant assisted with the cost impact of offering two Pilot Studies, and the time and resources invested by Sepehr Tabrizi in developing an appropriate methodology for specimen preparation and time and resources for website development and overall costs incurred by the SQAP.
De-identified PreservCyt samples were provided by the Royal Women’s Hospital, Melbourne and Symbion Laverty Pathology, North Ryde, NSW for preparation of the Panel.
Pre-issue testing of survey material for both Pilot Studies was performed by Sepehr Tabrizi and Anna-Maria Costa at the Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne for both Pilot Studies and by Symbion Laverty Pathology, North Ryde, NSW for Pilot Study One only.
Both completed Pilot Study Survey Reports report were approved for issue by Professor William Rawlinson, SQAP Chair.