Mammography Quality Standards Act (MQSA) Essentials: Recent Updates and Strategies for Compliance

Heidi Veillette, BSc, RT(R)(MR)*

^*Medical Writer, Veillette Communications; Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Address correspondence to: Heidi@VeilletteCommunications.com.

Disclosure statement: The author reports having no significant financial or advisory relationships with corporate organizations related to this activity.

ABSTRACT

High-quality mammography is essential for early breast cancer screening and diagnosis. An early diagnosis of breast cancer can lead to earlier treatment initiation and improved patient outcomes. There are many variables that can affect mammography imaging services, so the Mammography Quality Standards Act (MQSA) was established to ensure that patients receive the same high-quality mammographic care nationwide. The MQSA established accreditation and certification standards for mammography facilities, focusing on key areas such as personnel qualifications, equipment performance, examination reporting, and recordkeeping policies.

To stay up-to-date with technological advancements and evolving best practices, the MQSA undergoes periodic updates. The most recent updates that went into effect in September 2024 introduced several key changes designed to improve patient care. Some of the most significant updates focus on enhancing communication between interpreting physicians, patients, and healthcare providers, being required to provide each patient with their imaging results, and providing a clear summary of patients' breast density classification. Facilities must be familiar with the latest MQSA amendments to maintain compliance and continue to deliver high-quality mammography services. This course provides a comprehensive review of MQSA regulations, including accreditation and annual inspection requirements. The amendments and updates are covered in detail, with practical strategies to help facilities seamlessly integrate these changes into their daily workflow.