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Mammography Positioning Improvement Collaborative

This Collaborative of the ACR® Learning Network seeks to improve breast cancer detection through screening.

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Suboptimal mammography positioning is the primary factor leading to technically inadequate mammograms, and poor mammogram quality contributes to undetected breast cancer. In a single-institution study, only 67% of images met the positioning criteria set forth by the ACR® (Pal et al., AJR 2018). To improve mammography positioning, participating facilities are supported in identifying and evaluating opportunities within patient communication, agreement on image quality, data collection and reporting, the development of technologist skill, and communication between radiologists and technologists.

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ACR Learning Network Mammography Positioning Improvement Collaborative

Problem Statement

Mammography positioning is variable and inconsistent, possibly leading to missed diagnosis of cancer.

How the Collaborative Works

Each facility forms an interdisciplinary project team consisting of four to six members who participate in the ACR® ImPower Program, alongside a cohort of colleagues from other institutions. Together, these teams will receive quality improvement (QI) education and utilize QI tools to identify and test ways to improve mammography positioning.

Suggested team members:

  • Radiologist with a breast imaging clinical focus.
  • Mammography supervisor or manager.
  • Mammography technologist.

Learn how to participate

 

Collaborative Committee Chair

Sarah Pittman, MD

Sarah Pittman, MD

Clinical Assistant ProfessorStanford University School of Medicine

Collaborative Committee

  • Jessica Porembka, MD
  • Jennifer Saline, MD
  • Audrey Strain

Link Up With the Learning Network

We’re here to help your team succeed. Please reach out with any questions to the ACR Learning Network team.

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