The number of mammography facilities accredited by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) continued its slow decline in the FDA's most recent reporting period.
As of August 1, 2009, there were 8,711 mammography facilities accredited in the U.S., down 1.2% compared to 8,817 facilities in operation as of December 31, 2008.
The Mammography Quality Standards Act (MQSA) requires the FDA to track breast imaging facilities and publish annual reports on any adverse actions taken against them. This year, the agency for the first time reported adverse actions in its Mammography Facility Adverse Event and Action Report (MFAEAR) at the midyear point as part of an initiative to provide information in a more timely manner.
The number of facilities accredited under the MQSA program has fallen almost every year since the law was enacted.
Mammography facilities accredited under MQSA, by reporting period
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The report lists two cases of criminal convictions against individuals associated with mammography facilities during the January to June 2009 reporting period. Both involved radiologic technologists who falsified American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) credentials.
In addition, a facility in Puerto Rico was reaccredited after implementing a plan to correct deficiencies identified in an inspection earlier in the year, while a Texas facility that stopped performing mammography was ordered to take possession of archived mammograms and notify other facilities that they are available.
Related Reading
Report: Mammography market to continue growth, August 31, 2009
Mammography procedure volume drops 16% since 2000, March 17, 2009
AJR studies show decline in mammo use, workforce shortages, February 3, 2009
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