EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH TO MAMMOGRAPHY FACILITY STAFF TO ASSIST WITH COMPLIANCE WITH THE MAMMOGRAPHY QUALITY STANDARDS ACT IN RURAL NORTH-CAROLINA

Rational and Objectives. The purpose of this project was to develop an d evaluate an educational program targeted at mammography facilities i n rural areas of North Carolina that were having difficulty complying with the 1992 Mammography Quality Standards Act (MQSA). Materials and Methods. Fourteen facilities deemed at risk for closure under MQSA wer e identified by state inspection personnel. Problems at the facilities were evaluated by a radiologist, a physicist-educator, and a radiatio n physicist through a written survey, review of phantom and clinical i mages, and a site visit, individual advice and instruction were provid ed on-site by the physicist-educator, with written materials provided in follow up. A repeat site visit was made 4-6 months after the initia l visit. Results. Of 51 problems identified at the 12 institutions tha t completed the program, 35 (69%) were corrected. All facilities that had failing phantom scores at the inspection prior to the intervention had passing scores at the inspection after intervention. There was a statistically significant increase in the sum of the phantom scores fo r the facilities offered this intervention compared with those not off ered it(P = .03). Conclusion. This educational program improved mammog raphy quality at participating facilities.