A modest proposal for fixing mammography

Dear AuntMinnie Member,

To say that mammography is in crisis is an understatement. Low reimbursement, rising malpractice risk, and heightened public scrutiny have many mammography providers wondering whether it's worth the hassle. Recent proposals to "fix" the system by adding government testing of breast imaging providers could prompt some to pack it in altogether.

But there is hope for fixing mammography without the heavy hand of government intervention. In an editorial opinion featured this week in our Women’s Imaging Digital Community, breast imaging consultant Gerald Kolb makes a series of proposals to improve the quality of mammography interpretation without creating an undue burden on mammography centers.

Kolb’s proposals range from requiring more and different CME than is currently required to more widespread implementation of computer-aided detection (CAD). He also recommends retooling the audit process required as part of the Mammography Quality Standards Act to make it easier for centers to use audit results as part of a quality improvement plan.

The upcoming reauthorization of the MQSA provides a golden opportunity to enact these reforms, which don’t result in substantial additional burdens to providers, and should not result in diminished access for patients, according to Kolb. Read all about his recommendations in our Women’s Imaging Digital Community, at http://women.auntminnie.com.