J Radiol Prot. 2022 Nov 8. doi: 10.1088/1361-6498/aca0fe. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
The Quality Assurance Program (QAP) implementation in mammography is a key aspect to guarantee image quality acquisition and, thus, an opportune diagnosis of breast cancer. A QAP involves planned and systematic actions as quality control tests (QC) that will produce consistently high-quality images considering a low radiation exposure for stakeholders. Currently, there is poor evidence of the current QAP implementation status in developing countries, particularly in Latin America. In this work, over the period of October 2021 to April 2022, 47 Mexican digital mammography facilities were evaluated in terms of QAP’s current status implementation. A survey of 3 key indicators of compliance / non-compliance of QAP was carried out. Also, 17 QC test parameters were assessed in all mammography units according to an international framework. Kruskal-Wallis, Mc Nemar’s tests, and Spearman correlation were used to identify the significant correlation between the QC tests and QAP indicators. The statistical analysis showed a significant positive correlation between the QAP indicators and the QC parameters evaluated, especially associated with an increase in image quality. Almost 90 % percent of the facilities evaluated failed in some QAP indicator and only 44.68 % of the facilities have an updated and current program implemented. The successful QAP implementation directly impacted the QC mammography test results, particularly in terms of image quality; thus, conditioning a successful mammography acquisitions chain. The results obtained in this work suggest that better regulations need to be implemented to guarantee QAP surveillance; which could mean an increase in opportune diagnosis and management of breast cancer with radiological safety for patients and occupational exposure personnel.
PMID:36347024 | DOI:10.1088/1361-6498/aca0fe
