Resources for the pathology standards

Notice

From 1 July 2021, the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (the Commission) is responsible for coordinating the National Pathology Accreditation (NPA) Scheme and managing the development of the pathology accreditation standards.

For enquiries about the NPA Scheme or the resources provided below, email pathology@safetyandquality.gov.au.

Testing for COVID-19

In response to the coronavirus diseases 2019 (COVID‑19) pandemic, the National Pathology Accreditation Advisory Council (NPAAC) has developed a number of resources relating to COVID‑19 to support the Australian healthcare system.

Guidance on point of care testing for COVID-19

NPAAC has developed guidance to support the increased demand in COVID‑19 testing in various healthcare settings such as hospitals, pathology laboratories and primary healthcare services.

This guidance complements NPAAC’s existing Guidelines for point of care testing.

Guidance on point of care testing for COVID-19

2021

Guide, user guide or guidelines

Guidelines for COVID-19 drive through and pop-up collection facilities

State and territory governments and service providers established temporary collection facilities such as drive throughs and pop‑ups to broaden specimen collection for COVID‑19 testing in the community.

In July 2020, NPAAC released guidelines to support temporary collection facilities during the COVID‑19 pandemic. The guidelines were developed to protect consumers and ensure consistency in pathology results.

Guidelines for COVID‑19 temporary collection facilities (drive through and pop‑up)

2020

Guide, user guide or guidelines

Errors and corrections

Correction – Requirements for the retention of laboratory records and diagnostic material (Seventh Edition 2018)

2018

Publication, report or update

Correction – Requirements for the retention of laboratory records and diagnostic material (Sixth Edition 2013)

2013

Publication, report or update

Correction – Requirements for the packaging and transport of pathology specimens and associated materials (Fourth Edition 2013)

2013

Publication, report or update

Advisories

Advisory – PA22/02 Structured reporting of COVID-19 text message results

2022

Advisory

Fact sheets and FAQs

NPAAC fact sheet on retention period for COVID-19 test samples

Fact sheet – Retention period for COVID-19 test samples

2022

Fact sheet or brochure

Understanding the NPAAC Requirements for supervision in the clinical governance of medical pathology laboratories (Fifth Edition 2018)

2018

Fact sheet or brochure

Understanding the NPAAC Requirements for laboratories reporting tests for the National Cervical Screening Program (First Edition 2017)

2017

Fact sheet or brochure

Recording – Understanding the NPAAC Requirements for supervision in the clinical governance of medical pathology laboratories seminar

Best practice guidelines

The provision of direct to consumer genetic tests

2022

Publication, report or update

Feedback

The Commission values your opinion. You can provide comments and feedback about this section of the Commission’s website by emailing advicecentre@safetyandquality.gov.au or phone 1800 304 056.

Topics

Accreditation

Pathology

Notice

Testing for COVID-19

Errors and corrections

Advisories

Fact sheets and FAQs

Recording – Understanding the NPAAC Requirements for supervision in the clinical governance of medical pathology laboratories seminar

Best practice guidelines

Feedback