What is the MQSA and Why is it Important?

What is the MQSA and Why is it Important?

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At this point, I’m sure you know that the healthcare field is full of acronyms. With so many terms to remember, there has to be a way for you to recall them more easily. You’ve probably come across quite a few during your time as a medical student and now as a practicing physician. But, there are still plenty of obscure acronyms out there. This can happen for a multitude of reasons. Perhaps, they stand for a rare disease or a dated concept, so you are less likely to hear them while practicing medicine. This could also apply to terms that are highly specific to a certain specialty, such as the MQSA. So, what is the MQSA? If you do not know the answer to this question, you are not alone. Here, we will go over what the MQSA is and why it is relevant to doctors and patients alike!

what is the mqsa

What is the MQSA?

The acronym “MQSA” stands for The Mammography Quality Standards Act. The MQSA was enacted by the United States Congress to enhance the quality of mammography and guarantee that all American women have access to mammograms that meet universal standards. The act became effective in 1994. It sought to improve the poor results of a United States Federal Drug Administration survey called Nationwide Evaluation of X-ray Trends (NEXT). In the report, the FDA found that 36 percent of mammography facilities were producing inadequate mammographic images. The report also showed that 15 percent of facilities were using general-purpose X-ray equipment for mammography.

According to the FDA,

The Mammography Quality Standards Act requires mammography facilities across the nation to meet uniform quality standards. Congress passed this law in 1992 to assure high-quality mammography for early breast cancer detection, which can lead to early treatment, a range of treatment options leading to an increased chance of survival. Under the law, all mammography facilities must: 1) be accredited by an FDA-approved accreditation body, 2) be certified by FDA, or its State, as meeting the standards, 3) undergo an annual MQSA inspection, and 4) prominently display the certificate issued by the agency.

Recent Updates to the MQSA

In March of 2019, the FDA proposed updates to the MQSA. This is the first time the administration will consider modifications to this act in two decades. These changes seek to help patients better understand the relationship between breast density and breast cancer risk, as well as to provide physicians with more detailed information regarding mammogram assessments. The new and improved MQSA would also help the FDA enforce regulations and actively address violations.

Why the MQSA is Important?

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed form of cancer in women and remains second to lung cancer in terms of mortality rates. Due to the prevalence of this disease, it is important to provide adequate mammography services to women. In fact, proper mammography screenings help more physicians identify breast cancers at a localized stage. According to the American Cancer Society, this practice has brought the five-year survival rate up to 97 percent. These screenings, coupled with clinical breast examinations, remain the most effective technique for the early detection of breast cancer. Therefore, the new MQSA should help to save more women with breast cancer.


So, the next time someone asks you “What is the MQSA”, you should be able to provide a well-informed answer! This act is a very important step in improving women’s health and should be on the radar of any physician with a speciality related to treating women.

Have you been keeping up with the MQSA? Let us know what you think about its potential changes in the comments below! We would love to hear from you.

Author: Locum Jobs Online

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