HCPro.com: Mammography Regulation and Reimbursement Report

The FDA is in a state of inspection. Will your facility pass the test? Comply with FDA regulations and interpret the Mammography Quality Standards Act with Mammography Regulation Report.

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July 2008 (Volume 7, Issue 7)	view entire issue

Screening ultrasound detects cancers in women with intermediate risks
Women with an elevated risk of breast cancer, but who don't have a high enough risk to warrant an annual MRI, could be candidates for a screening ultrasound in addition to their annual mammogram. A new American College of Radiology Imaging Network (ACRIN) study shows that "a combination of ultrasound and mammography found 28% more cancers than mammography alone in women 25 years or older" with the following risk factors: Dense breasts Prior atypical breast biopsy Personal and/or moderate family history of breast cancer

FDA issues updates, makes no mention of reauthorization
If you're wondering when MQSA will be reauthorized, you're not alone. Authorization from the FDA had been set to occur in fall 2007, but Dan Oakey, Florida MQSA inspector, says the absence of information from the FDA on the subject is an indication that the process will not likely move forward anytime soon. However, the FDA Mammography Advisory Committee voted in November 2007 to recommend that MQSA reauthorization include accreditation for stereotactic breast biopsy. It was a main focus at the National Mammography Quality Assurance Advisory Committee meeting, too.

MammoPad aids patient positioning, comfort on digital units
Facilities that experience success using the MammoPad on their analog units will likely find similar benefits if they use the pads on their digital units. Studies have shown that the pads, used under the right conditions, can increase patient comfort and the amount of compression that they are able to tolerate and help the technologist better position the breast. Studies also show that the pad does not reduce image quality or increase average glandular dose, according to a white paper published by Hologic, the product vendor.

Mammography of the augmented breast
As mammography technologists, one of our main goals is to position a patient's breast to image the breast tissue next to the rib cage for inclusion of posterior tissues. Positioning close to the rib cage can be a challenge with some body types, even without the presence of breast implants. However, patients who do have implants present an additional challenge.

Other recently-published articles from Mammography Regulation and Reimbursement Report:

Resolve to focus on quality in 2009

Getting a grant: Tips and tricks for success

Get them talking

The angry patient: Avoid surefire ways to make your patients mad

Achieve printing perfection when dealing with digital

Digital mammography and the fatty breast

Customer service more critical in new economic times

Low-income women skip annual exams due to cost

Focus on quality indicators to reduce racial disparity

Successful accreditation starts with the basics

ACR spills secrets to accreditation and missteps to avoid

Digital saves cost for those who embrace it

Molecular breast imaging has advantages over MRI

New NEJM study: CAD results not so glum now

A dozen tips for a stellar stereotactic program

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