VCHS Receives Mammo Certification

November 29, 2009

Valley County Health System is pleased to announce that the Radiology Department recently passed their Mammography Quality Standards Act (MQSA) inspection.  The certification process was completed by Arlene Hughes, Mammography Technologist at VCHS.   

The MQSA requires that all mammography facilities across the nation meet uniform quality standard.  Congress passed the law in 1992 to assure high-quality mammography for early breast cancer detection.  Under this law all mammography facilities are required to be accredited by the Food and Drug Administration and undergo an annual MQSA inspection.

Standards that must be met during the inspection consist of documentation that verifies all physicians who interpret the mammograms and the technologists who perform the mammograms have had adequate training and experience. Each facility must have an effective quality control program and maintain the records. In addition all facilities must have a system for following up on mammograms that reveal problems, and for obtaining biopsy results.

To schedule a mammogram or to learn more, call Valley County Health System at (308) 728-3211.