Did you know that there are mammogram baseline quality standards? Did you know that mammograms must be performed by a healthcare facility that meets baseline quality standards?

The Food and Drug Administration has issued a MedWatch alert concerning mammograms performed by a healthcare provider facility in Raleigh, N.C..  In a MedWatch Alert, the FDA has stated that the FDA is alerting patients who had mammograms at Richard D. Adelman, M.D. Family Practice that there were possible problems with the quality of their mammorgrams. According to the FDA MedWatch Alert, the American College of Radiology did a review of mammograms at the Adelman Family Medicine practice between August 25, 2012, and August 25, 2014, and identified problems with the quality of the mammograms. The American College of Radiology revoked the facility’s accreditation on November 25, 2014. The FDA noted that this revocation does not mean necessarily that the results of the mammograms were inaccurate but patients should have their mammograms reviewed at a Mammography Quality Standards Act-certitified facility to determine if they need a repeat mammogram.

First off, hats off to the American College of Radiology for performing the review in the case described above.  Its reassuring to know that mammograms must be done in accordance with standards and that organizations like the ACR are holding providers accountable if they fall below standards.

So was your mammogram performed at a healthcare facility that has been accredited by the American College of Radiology?  You should definitely inquire about your healthcare provider’s accreditation to perform mammograms. The FDA MedWatch alert states as part of the background of the alert that “[u]nder the Mammography Quality Standards Act (MQSA) of 1992, the FDA requires that all mammography facilities meet certain baseline quality standards and be certified to legally operate in the United States.

Mammogram baseline quality standards are important. Take a minute to chek and see: was your mammorgram performed by a healthcare facility that meets baseline quality standards?