A new law in California requires mammography facilities in the state to post notices of serious violations found by state inspectors so that patients can clearly see the violations.
Sponsored by California state senator Jenny Oropeza (D-Long Beach), the law went into effect on January 1 and closes a loophole that existed where mammography inspection visits were concerned: Although annual inspections have long been mandated, there have been no requirements for when or how the results from those inspections should be communicated to patients.
The law requires mammography facilities to post notice of serious violations within two working days after being notified by the California Department of Health. The document should remain posted for a minimum of five working days or until the violation has been corrected, whichever is later.
"Serious violations" are defined as a level 1 deviation from the federal Mammography Quality Standards Act of 1992, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Additional Mammography Review (AMR) guidance: Anything that "may seriously compromise the quality of mammography services offered by the facility ... Level 1 findings are indicators that serious quality problems may be present at the facility and require further evaluation."
Mammography is too important to women's health to allow subpar imaging to continue, Oropeza said in an editorial on her Web site in September.
"Knowing violations must be posted would give women greater confidence in the medical offices they patronize," she wrote. "They could rest easier knowing that they were receiving the best quality services."
Related Reading
FDA releases new mammo standard, December 11, 2009
Number of U.S. mammo facilities drops, September 2, 2009
ACR reports statistics on mammo complaints, May 18, 2009
ACR introduces National Mammography Database, May 7, 2009
AJR studies show decline in mammo use, workforce shortages, February 3, 2009
Copyright © 2010 AuntMinnie.com
