Department of
Pathology, Anatomy and Laboratory Medicine

System Based Practice

Residents (all PGY levels) must demonstrate an awareness and responsiveness to the larger context and system of health care and the ability to call on system resources to provide pathology services that are of optimal value.

  • Residents are expected to be able to discuss clinical pathology diagnoses affect health care decisions for patients and the health care system.
  • Explain the types of medical practice and delivery systems differ from one another, including methods of controlling health care costs and allocating resources
  • Practice cost-effective health care and resource allocation that does not compromise quality of care, understanding the need for and cost of special studies, extended testing, and other send-out testing.
  • As senior residents PGY 3-4) attend the CP QA committee meetings to be able to explain how to partner with the administrative and technical staff to assess, coordinate, and improve health care and know how these activities can affect system performance
    • Understand the fundamental principles of TQM
    • Understand the functions of calibrators and controls
    • Understand common statistical concepts used in quality control programs such as precision and accuracy, Levey-Jennings control chart, Westgard rules and application, and delta checks and apply these to appropriate laboratory undertakings
    • Be familiar with external quality assessment and proficiency testing programs such as CAP statistics and Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act (CLIA) criteria governing laboratory testing


Residents may also inspect the section of Chem/Immuno during a CAP inspection (PGY 3-4).