Successful screening mammography programs aim to screen large numbers of wo
men efficiently and inexpensively. Development of an effective screening ma
mmography program requires skilled personnel, solid infrastructure, and a r
obust computer system. A group of physicians, technologists, computer suppo
rt personnel, and administrators carefully analyzed a growing screening mam
mography program as a series of steps, starting with the request for the ex
amination and ending with the receipt of a hard-copy consultation. The anal
ysis involved a detailed examination of every step and every possible outco
me in the screening process. The information gained through process mapping
may be used for identification of systemic and personnel problems, allocat
ion of resources, modification of workplace architecture, and design of com
puter networks, Process mapping is helpful for those involved in designing
and improving screening mammography programs. Viewing a process (ie, obtain
ing a screening mammogram) as a series of steps may allow for the identific
ation of inefficient components that may limit growth. Copyright (C) 1999 b
y W.B. Saunders Company.