Abstract
The facility image evaluation committee has been working since June 2001 to establish a mammogram screening implementation system for evaluation of diagnostic apparatus, image quality etc., and instruction. In this study, we examined the factors currently used for facility image evaluation, and evaluated the factors again at committee-authorized facilities at the time of reappraisal.
We studied 352 facilities, which were evaluated from June 2001 to September 2004. Three hundred twenty of these facilities were certified as authorized, and 32 were not. To improve the quality of images, the data obtained at initial evaluation were compared with those at re-evaluation in 15 facilities. Thirteen facilities were certified as authorized, and two were not. Although the facility authorization rate was 80% in the initial stage after the start of facility image evaluation, the rate recently exceeded 90%. In order to obtain a high-quality image that satisfies the criteria for facility image evaluation, a mammogram should be taken in a good position and the mammary gland density adjusted to an appropriate region. This requires a skilled radiological technologist. In fact, the observed authorization rate was dependent on the presence of certified radiological technologists. Since the establishment of image valuation criteria, image quality has been improving nationally and the number of authorized facilities has increased in comparison with the initial stage.
To improve the future accuracy of screening mammography, we recommend that more facilities undergo facility image evaluation and are certified as authorized.
