The FDA has alerted consumers and health care professionals to several cases where mammography radiologic technologists have falsified quality control records (processor QC testing, phantom image QC testing, or both), as well as ARRT registration cards.

The agency was quick to note on its website, "While the vast majority of technologists are honest professionals who provide a vital service to patients, these few individuals may put patients and facilities at risk."

Equipment and Personnel Standards
Regarding the equipment quality assurance (QA) requirements, facilities must maintain quality control records including monitoring data, problems detected by analysis of that data, corrective actions, and the effectiveness of the corrective actions, safety, protection and employee qualifications to meet assigned quality assurance tasks are properly maintained and updated.

The agency cautions that relying on a single individual at a facility to assure compliance may put a facility at risk. Facility management should ensure the involvement of all of the responsible parties in the review of QC records and the oversight of the QA program, particularly the lead interpreting physician.

All mammography facilities are also responsible for meeting required document retention protocols such as personnel qualification records including former personnel. Since ARRT registration has an expiration date; each technologist should have an up-to-date registration card.

FDA suggests facilities double check on their personnel documentation periodically. Facilities may use the ARRT directory to verify current registrations for their personnel:

https://www.arrt.org/index.html?content=nd/arrtdirectory.ndm/search&iframe=yes2 3

If a mistake is make, report it to FDA right away.

Read more and get links at:

http://www.fda.gov/Radiation-EmittingProducts/MammographyQualityStandardsActandProgram/ConsumerInformation/ucm201898.htm

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