Letter from Dr. Nancy Wadden, Chair MAP Steering Committee
Earlier this month the CAR provided guidance to the Mammography Accreditation Program (MAP) facilities regarding program requirements given that most facilities across the country have resumed their services following disruptions caused by the pandemic. In 2021, the CAR will review the volumes of facilities and radiologists based on the entire previous calendar year (Jan 1-Dec 31, 2020).
The interpretive volume (reads) standard for radiologists states that all radiologists must have a minimum annual volume of 1,000 reads. There are exemptions including those performing no screening mammography – more information can be found in the MAP reads FAQ.
We understand that the postponement of non-urgent care between March and June 2020, including mammography, may have impacted the ability of facilities and/or radiologists to meet the minimum annual volume standard. Standardizing our reporting requirements ensures the facilities’ volumes align with radiologists who might be reading on behalf of a dozen or more facilities. This will allow us to determine if there is justification for providing an exemption to any radiologist.
If facility volumes are sufficiently high, the associated radiologists should have reasonably achieved the 1,000 reads/year standard, in which case there is no need for an exemption. Conversely, if the facility volumes indicate that no radiologist could reasonably have achieved the standard then we may provide an exemption. As is customary with MAP, we assess each facility and personnel involved in the program on an individual basis.
Please contact Marc Venturi, Manager of Accreditation and Quality Improvement at the CAR, with any questions or concerns.
Dr. Nancy Wadden, MD, FRCPC
Chair Mammography Accreditation Program Steering Committee