What are the Key Features of MQSA?
• To operate lawfully, a mammography facility must be MQSA certified as providing quality mammography services. • For a facility to be certified, it must be accredited by a federally approved private nonprofit or state accreditation body. FDA has approved the American College of Radiology (ACR) and the States of Arkansas, Iowa, and Texas as accreditation bodies. If additional States become approved, FDA will make the appropriate announcement. • To be accredited, the facility must apply to an FDA-approved accreditation body; undergo periodic review of its clinical images; have an annual survey by a medical physicist; and meet federally developed quality standards for personnel qualifications, equipment, radiation dose, quality assurance programs, and recordkeeping and reporting. • The facility must also undergo an annual inspection conducted by federally trained and certified Federal or State personnel. Inspections began in January 1995. See MQSA Regulations and Guidance for more inform
