Full Field Digital Mammography Quality Control Checklist
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Full Field Digital Mammography Quality Control Checklist
1
Verify patient personal and medical history
2
Ensure the radiographic machine is in good working condition
3
Take a Standard Cranial-Caudal (SCC) Breast Image
4
Review SCC Image for clear visualization of the breast tissue
5
Take a Mediolateral Oblique (MLO) Breast Image
6
Review MLO Image for clear visualization of the breast tissue
7
Repeat imaging if necessary
8
Digitize and store the mammography images
9
Analyze the digital images for abnormalities
10
Prepare and document initial findings
11
Approval: Radiographer's Initial Findings
12
Initiate an advanced diagnosis if abnormalities are detected
13
Schedule follow-up appointment if necessary
14
Prepare patient's report
15
Send report to the referring physician
16
Discuss result with patient
17
Incase of clear results, schedule next mammography
18
Update patient's medical records
19
Archive the digital images
20
Review entire process for any missing steps
Verify patient personal and medical history
Ensure that the patient's personal and medical history is accurately verified before proceeding with the mammography. This includes checking for relevant medical conditions, allergies, and previous surgeries. Confirm that all necessary information is complete and up-to-date.
1
Male
2
Female
3
Other
Ensure the radiographic machine is in good working condition
Check the radiographic machine to confirm that it is functioning properly. This includes examining the parts and components, calibrating the machine if necessary, and ensuring that all safety measures are in place. If any issues or abnormalities are identified, contact the appropriate personnel for repair or maintenance.
1
Excellent
2
Good
3
Fair
4
Poor
5
Not functioning
Take a Standard Cranial-Caudal (SCC) Breast Image
Capture a Standard Cranial-Caudal (SCC) Breast Image using the mammography machine. Position the patient correctly and ensure proper compression of the breast. Adjust the machine settings as required to obtain a clear and accurate image.
1
Patient positioned correctly
2
Proper breast compression
3
Clear and accurate image obtained
4
Machine settings adjusted if required
5
Additional notes or comments
Review SCC Image for clear visualization of the breast tissue
Thoroughly analyze the Standard Cranial-Caudal (SCC) Breast Image for clear visualization of the breast tissue. Ensure that all required areas are captured, and there are no obstructions or artifacts that may affect the quality of the image.
1
Clear visualization of breast tissue
2
No obstructions or artifacts
3
All required areas captured
4
Quality of the image is satisfactory
5
Additional notes or comments
Take a Mediolateral Oblique (MLO) Breast Image
Capture a Mediolateral Oblique (MLO) Breast Image using the mammography machine. Position the patient correctly and ensure proper compression of the breast. Adjust the machine settings as required to obtain a clear and accurate image.
1
Patient positioned correctly
2
Proper breast compression
3
Clear and accurate image obtained
4
Machine settings adjusted if required
5
Additional notes or comments
Review MLO Image for clear visualization of the breast tissue
Thoroughly analyze the Mediolateral Oblique (MLO) Breast Image for clear visualization of the breast tissue. Ensure that all required areas are captured, and there are no obstructions or artifacts that may affect the quality of the image.
1
Clear visualization of breast tissue
2
No obstructions or artifacts
3
All required areas captured
4
Quality of the image is satisfactory
5
Additional notes or comments
Repeat imaging if necessary
If the Standard Cranial-Caudal (SCC) and/or Mediolateral Oblique (MLO) images do not meet the required standards or if abnormalities are observed, repeat the imaging process. Follow the same steps mentioned earlier and ensure that the necessary adjustments are made to obtain clear and accurate images.
1
Image quality not satisfactory
2
Obstructions or artifacts present
3
Required areas not captured
4
Abnormalities observed
5
Other
Digitize and store the mammography images
Digitize and store the obtained mammography images in a secure and accessible location. Ensure that the images are properly labeled and organized for easy retrieval and future reference. Follow the established protocols and guidelines for image storage and security.
1
JPEG
2
PNG
3
TIFF
4
DICOM
Analyze the digital images for abnormalities
Carefully examine the digitized mammography images for any abnormalities or signs of potential issues. Pay attention to the structure, density, and overall appearance of the breast tissue. Use the necessary tools and techniques to enhance or manipulate the images if required for better analysis.
1
Examine structure and density of breast tissue
2
Look for signs of abnormalities
3
Use image enhancement tools if necessary
4
Evaluate overall appearance of the images
5
Additional notes or comments
Prepare and document initial findings
Compile and document the initial findings based on the analysis of the digital images. Clearly state any abnormalities or notable observations. Include relevant details such as the location, size, and characteristics of the identified abnormalities.
1
Mass
2
Calcifications
3
Asymmetry
4
Architectural Distortion
5
Other
Approval: Radiographer's Initial Findings
Will be submitted for approval:
Prepare and document initial findings
Will be submitted
Initiate an advanced diagnosis if abnormalities are detected
If abnormalities are detected in the initial findings, initiate an advanced diagnosis procedure. This may involve further imaging, such as ultrasound or MRI, or consultation with a specialist. Ensure that all necessary steps are taken to accurately evaluate and diagnose the identified abnormalities.
1
Ultrasound
2
MRI
3
Biopsy
4
Consultation with a specialist
5
Other
Schedule follow-up appointment if necessary
If further diagnostic procedures or consultations are required, schedule a follow-up appointment for the patient. Coordinate with the relevant healthcare professionals or specialists to ensure a timely and appropriate scheduling.
Prepare patient's report
Prepare a comprehensive report summarizing the findings, observations, and relevant details of the mammography procedure. Ensure that the report is accurate, clear, and easy to understand. Include appropriate medical terminology and provide recommendations or further actions if necessary.
Send report to the referring physician
Send the prepared patient's report to the referring physician for review and further action. Use the appropriate communication channels and ensure that the report is securely transmitted to maintain patient confidentiality.
Discuss result with patient
Schedule a consultation with the patient to discuss the results and findings of the mammography procedure. Communicate the information in a clear and compassionate manner, addressing any concerns or questions the patient may have. Provide necessary explanations and recommendations for further actions if required.
Incase of clear results, schedule next mammography
If the mammography results are clear and indicate no abnormalities, schedule the patient's next mammography appointment. Discuss the recommended frequency for follow-up screenings based on the patient's age, medical history, and other relevant factors.
1
Annually
2
Biennially
3
Every 3 years
4
As per recommended guidelines
5
Other
Update patient's medical records
Update the patient's medical records with the findings, observations, and other relevant details of the mammography procedure. Ensure that the records are accurate, up-to-date, and easily accessible for future reference or comparisons.
Archive the digital images
Properly archive the digitized mammography images for long-term storage and easy retrieval. Follow the established protocols and guidelines for archival, including labeling, organizing, and securing the images. Ensure that the storage media or system used is reliable and suitable for long-term preservation.
Review entire process for any missing steps
Carefully review the entire process followed for the full field digital mammography quality control. Verify if any steps were skipped or missed during the procedure. Identify any gaps or areas for improvement and take necessary measures to address them.
