Comparison of results from quality control of physical parameters and results from clinical evaluation of mammographic images for the mammography screening facilities in Poland

Radiat Prot Dosimetry. 2011 Sep;147(1-2):206-9. doi: 10.1093/rpd/ncr321. Epub 2011 Aug 8.

Abstract

The material for this study comprised control protocols from 248 mammography screening facilities, prepared by physicists employed at 16 Regional Coordinating Centres and the results from the clinical evaluation of mammographic images in 248 facilities in Poland. All mammograms were evaluated independently by three experts selected from a list approved by the national consultant of radiology and diagnostic imaging. The requirements for proper breast positioning, selection of appropriate parameters for exposure and absence of artefacts were fulfilled only in 38 % of inspected mammography facilities. The requirements of the clinical audit were met only in 15 % of the mammography facilities. The requirements for the physical parameters of mammographic equipment were met only in 28 % of them. The requirements of the quality control (QC) tests and clinical audit were not fulfilled only in 19 % of the mammography facilities. Results from the QC of physical parameters are comparable with results from clinical evaluation of mammographic images in 57 % of the mammography facilities in Poland.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Evaluation Study
  • Multicenter Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Breast Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Breast Neoplasms / prevention & control
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted*
  • Mammography / instrumentation
  • Mammography / methods
  • Mammography / standards*
  • Mass Screening*
  • Patient Positioning*
  • Poland
  • Quality Assurance, Health Care
  • Quality Control*
  • Radiation Dosage