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Improving the Timeliness of Written Patient Notification of Mammography Results by Mammography Centers

Abstract:  Timely reporting of mammogram results helps to reduce anxiety for women with negative results and speeds up diagnosis or treatment in the case of abnormal results. The goal of this project was to improve the rate at which Virginia mammography centers provide a written report to women in lay terms within 30 days of a mammogram. The project included six intervention and five control mammography centers. The baseline period was prior to when new regulations in the Mammography Quality Standards Act (MQSA) took effect in April 1999. The remeasurement period was after April 1999. Data were obtained from abstraction of mammography reports and patient notification letters from a sample of patients with negative and abnormal mammography results at each mammography center. Each intervention mammography center received a notebook that included numerous tools on systems for patient notification and tracking, baseline notification rates and other abstracted information, biopsy recommendations, sample results letters, and a copy of the MQSA. For negative mammograms, the intervention group in aggregate increased from 24% at baseline to 79% at remeasurement in their rate of notification within 30 days. The control group increased from 25% to 46%. For abnormal mammograms, increases were from 35% to 85% and from 25% to 58%, respectively. The intervention group's increases were considerably higher, suggesting an effect due to the interventions that involved technical assistance, education, and system change. All increases were statistically significant (p < 0.01). At baseline, three intervention centers and two controls had policies for written notification. All 11 had policies at remeasurement. However, only two of the five control centers could provide clear supporting documentation for dates of notification at remeasurement. Mammography centers can benefit from guidance in the form of intervention materials specifically designed to address the MQSA sections that apply to patient notification, tracking, and positive predictive value of biopsy recommendations.