QRC provides training and education in mammography and has a 32 hours ASRT Category A approved course for technologists who desire their ARRT registry in mammography.

As of April 28, 1999 the Mammography Quality Standards Act mandates that Registered Radiologic Technologists not meeting the initial formal training requirements in Mammography prior to this date must complete 40 hours of documented training specific to mammography in order to meet the current regulatory standard.

QRC provides this training on a regular basis or can customize the training to include providing the training in your facility. Depending on the number of individuals attending the training and the location of the training we are willing to negotiate the terms of on-site training at your facility. Just contact us with your request.

Course Objectives:

1.      To review, learn and understand basic breast anatomy, physiology and positioning.

2.      To learn and understand how breast compression and quality assurance/quality control techniques influence the breast imaging quality.

3.      To learn and understand the history of mammography, patient education and the physics and principles of mammography production.

Course Summary / Goals and Objectives

This four-day course will detail breast anatomy and physiology, positioning, compression, quality assurance/quality control techniques, and breast augmentation techniques. Also included will be mammography quality control procedures, the physics and principles of mammography generation, regulatory requirements/guidelines and patient history and patient education.  This course will provide 32 hours of continuing education including an optional clinical rotation to perform 25 mandatory mammograms required under the MQSA guidelines. The 32 hours of didactic training combined with 25 supervised mammograms will equal the 40 hours of mandated training.

MQSA Training / In-services / ACR Certification

QRC provides training and technical support within the Mammography Quality Standards Act. MQSA can be difficult to understand and compliance is vital to the mammography department ACR certification. We provide MQSA training to the staff responsible for compliance so they can better understand their responsibilities. QRC uses the same training presentation utilized in training the FDA Inspectors who conducts the MQSA inspections.

QRC has designed a complete Mammography Manual that can be implemented in new or existing mammography departments. We can customize specific policies and procedures that may need updating in your facilities existing manual. We can work with the mammography department staff and the FDA on training or compliance issues to bring your department up to the higher level of compliance.

MQSA Training In-service

Course Objectives:

1.      Review the final regulations and some revisions to the final regulations in the years since they were published on October 28, 1997.  These revisions were published in the Federal Register (FR) at various times.

2.      Review how the FDA develops guidance to help you understand the regulations.

3.      To highlight areas of the final regulations that inspectors will examine during the annual MQSA inspection and tell you how to best prepare for it.

4.      Review new requirements not covered in the interim regulations but now included in the final regulations, ranging from equipment requirements to breast implants.

5.       Learn where you can find the additional information to be used as your on-going resource for any MQSA issue, question or concern that could develop.

Mammography Quality Control In-service

Course Objectives:

1. To understand the role of the Radiation Physicist in the mammography department
   
   
2. Review the appropriate protocols of when to involve the Medical Physicist with mammography issues or concerns
   
   
3. To review and understand the quality control testing procedures related to mammography and film processing.
   
   
4. To understand the appropriate measures and actions in providing corrective action
   when necessary with the mammography quality control testing results.
   
   

In-Service Summary:

This in-service is intended to provide information regarding the quality control testing procedures, troubleshooting and corrective actions in the mammography department. Included will be review of each quality control test required in mammography and how to interpret the results of the testing. Methods of troubleshooting the tests that do not fall into range as well as how to document the corrective action. There will be discussion and review of the role of the medical physicist and his relationship to the mammography department. There will be clearly defined issues discussed when the medical physicist would need to become involved with mammography issues that might occur in the mammography department.

ACR Accreditation

QRC can assist your mammography department in the application process for ACR accreditation or in the re-accreditation of your mammography department. We work with your mammography staff; lead interpreting radiologist and administration to assist your facility in achieving the accreditation certificate. We have assisted a number of facilities with initial application paperwork, physicist evaluations, accessory equipment testing, policy and procedure manuals, ACR manual implementation, creation of quality control logs and documentation forms for corrective action.