• Letter of Invitation (see Appendix D)
    • Result Report Letters to Women and Their Physicians for "normal", "abnormal" and "need for repeat exam" cases (see Appendices F and G)
    • Breast History and Screening Mammography Report (see Appendix H)
    • Follow-up Action Reports (see Appendix I)

12. QUALITY ASSURANCE/RISK MANAGEMENT

Mass mammography screening of the target population has the potential to significantly reduce mortality from breast cancer. The effectiveness and success of such screening depends on consistent production of high resolution, high contrast, low dose mammographic images9,10,17-19,21,25,27.

  1. Region Hospital Corporations shall be expected to pursue accreditation for breast screening sites through the Canadian Association of Radiology (CAR) Mammography Accreditation Program.17
  2. Region Hospital Corporations performing mammography shall be responsible for the quality of mammography and for the implementation of an effective quality assurance program at each screening site21,23,24.
  3. To ensure consistency in quality control test performance, a single technologist or clinical engineer per screening site shall be selected and trained to perform this task27. A back-up should also be available to perform these tests when necessary.
  4. A documented quality control program with procedure manuals and logs shall be maintained and be available to all staff17,21,25. The quality control program shall include the quality control testing outlined in Appendix E as a minimum. The testing as described in the American College of Radiology mammography quality control manuals22,27,28 should be followed.