Mammography MQSA and Quality Control
ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS
Quality control - Correct answer✔sthe routine performance and interpretation of equipment
function tests and of corrective actions taken
objective of QC - Correct answer✔sto detect, identify, and correct equipment-related problems
before they have a deleterious effect on images
MQSA - Correct answer✔sstands for- Mammography Quality Standards Act
Note: - Correct answer✔sFacilities may not use the new ACR Digital Mammography QC
Manual for digital mammography systems with advanced applications (e.g. tomosynthesis or
contrast enhancement)
ACR alternative standard - Correct answer✔sspecifies that facilities must use the approved
ACR Digital Mammography (DM) phantom in concert with all of the applicable manual's
procedures, performance criteria, and minimum test frequencies.
ACR (DM) QC Manual - Correct answer✔sif a facility chooses to follow the ACR (DM) QC
for its QC, it is no longer required to follow its digital mammography manufacturer's QC
manual; however, facilities should maintain their manufacturer's QC manual to refer to when
performing ACR-required calibration or troubleshooting tests.
System QC for Radiologists tests - Correct answer✔sa structured tool allowing the radiologist
to work with the technologist in evaluating the entire system performance at the radiologist
workstation using a standard clinical image selected by the radiologist.
, The Radiologist Image Quality Feedback - Correct answer✔senables the interpreting
radiologist to notify the technical staff when asked to interpret suboptimal cases (and also
provides a way to commend the technical staff for exceptional quality)
ACR Techniques and Summaries form - Correct answer✔sprovides a location to record
techniques used for routine QC testing; this provides a central location to record all corrective
action for the digital mammography systems in the Corrective Action Log
Facility Offsite Display Locations form - Correct answer✔screates a convenient list of all
locations of radiologist workstations and film printers to help with the management of offsite
QC.
Primary QC technologist - Correct answer✔sresponsible for ensuring that QC tasks are done
properly by standardizing test methodology, reviewing all data, overseeing repeat testing before
calling the medical physicist or service personnel, and conferring with the radiologist and
medical physicist
Note: - Correct answer✔sthe medical physicist is required to conduct a mammography
equipment evaluation (MEE) of new equipment and after major repairs. The MEE survey must
be done and all relevant tests must pass prior to use of digital mammography equipment.
(Medical physicist is also required to perform an annual survey on each unit.
Note: - Correct answer✔sMedical physicist should review the QC tech's QC test results and
provide written recommendations if there are problems or suggestions for improvement.
Note: - Correct answer✔sIf the medical physicist determine that there is a need for corrective
action, the facility should provide a copy of its medical physicists full report to its equipment
service engineer.
ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS
Quality control - Correct answer✔sthe routine performance and interpretation of equipment
function tests and of corrective actions taken
objective of QC - Correct answer✔sto detect, identify, and correct equipment-related problems
before they have a deleterious effect on images
MQSA - Correct answer✔sstands for- Mammography Quality Standards Act
Note: - Correct answer✔sFacilities may not use the new ACR Digital Mammography QC
Manual for digital mammography systems with advanced applications (e.g. tomosynthesis or
contrast enhancement)
ACR alternative standard - Correct answer✔sspecifies that facilities must use the approved
ACR Digital Mammography (DM) phantom in concert with all of the applicable manual's
procedures, performance criteria, and minimum test frequencies.
ACR (DM) QC Manual - Correct answer✔sif a facility chooses to follow the ACR (DM) QC
for its QC, it is no longer required to follow its digital mammography manufacturer's QC
manual; however, facilities should maintain their manufacturer's QC manual to refer to when
performing ACR-required calibration or troubleshooting tests.
System QC for Radiologists tests - Correct answer✔sa structured tool allowing the radiologist
to work with the technologist in evaluating the entire system performance at the radiologist
workstation using a standard clinical image selected by the radiologist.
, The Radiologist Image Quality Feedback - Correct answer✔senables the interpreting
radiologist to notify the technical staff when asked to interpret suboptimal cases (and also
provides a way to commend the technical staff for exceptional quality)
ACR Techniques and Summaries form - Correct answer✔sprovides a location to record
techniques used for routine QC testing; this provides a central location to record all corrective
action for the digital mammography systems in the Corrective Action Log
Facility Offsite Display Locations form - Correct answer✔screates a convenient list of all
locations of radiologist workstations and film printers to help with the management of offsite
QC.
Primary QC technologist - Correct answer✔sresponsible for ensuring that QC tasks are done
properly by standardizing test methodology, reviewing all data, overseeing repeat testing before
calling the medical physicist or service personnel, and conferring with the radiologist and
medical physicist
Note: - Correct answer✔sthe medical physicist is required to conduct a mammography
equipment evaluation (MEE) of new equipment and after major repairs. The MEE survey must
be done and all relevant tests must pass prior to use of digital mammography equipment.
(Medical physicist is also required to perform an annual survey on each unit.
Note: - Correct answer✔sMedical physicist should review the QC tech's QC test results and
provide written recommendations if there are problems or suggestions for improvement.
Note: - Correct answer✔sIf the medical physicist determine that there is a need for corrective
action, the facility should provide a copy of its medical physicists full report to its equipment
service engineer.
