Methods of compliance with mammography quality standards act regulations for tracking positive mammograms: Survey results

OBJECTIVE. We sent a questionnaire to fellows of the Society of Breast Imag ing to determine how breast imaging facilities comply with regulations mand ated by the Mammography Quality Standards Act for tracking patients whose m ammograms show positive findings. SUBJECTS AND METHODS. We surveyed the Society of Breast Imaging fellows to determine practice types, follow-up methodology, additional time and person nel required, and points of radiologists' responsibility for follow-up of m ammograms with positive findings. RESULTS. Forty-six (68%) of 68 surveyed practices responded, including 21 a cademic, 16 private, and nine mixed practices that averaged 15,761 mammogra ms a year (range, 300-50,000). The 46 practices used computers (n = 30) or handwritten paper (n = 16) audits. Radiologists (n = 8), technologists (n = 6), other personnel (n = 10), or a combination (n = 22) tracked procedures and patients with abnormal mammographic results. Average time spent tracki ng was given as a few hours a week (n = 28), 2-4 hr a day (n = 11), and 40 hr a week (n = 5). The remaining two practices indicated that less than 1 h r per month was required (n = I) or that they used two full-time data manag ers (n = 1), Accepted tracking end points included surgical biopsy (n = 30) , referring physician recommended other management (il = 16), patient refus ed recommendation (n = 27), medical care transfer (n = 27), patient moved ( n = 22), or patient lost to referring physician follow-up (n = 16). CONCLUSION. Among dedicated mammographers, the methodology in the task trac king patients with positive findings on mammography varies. All methodologi es described in responses to our survey involved considerable time and effo rt.