3D Mammography technology cuts recall rates, provides early cancer detection
Technology reduces costs, patient stress
Eugene/Springfield, OR – In the first year of providing 3D mammography to its patients, Oregon Imaging Centers’ statistics show the recall rate is nearly half the national benchmark and biopsies performed are more likely to have saved a life because they detected cancer.
“Recall rates are the frequency in which findings are interpreted as a positive before a final recommendation is made. If these are too high, it often can produce false-positive results which often translates into increased costs and unnecessary patient stress,” said Oregon Imaging Radiologist Jonathan Sims, MD.
According to the American College of Radiology (ACR) and the Agency for Health Care Research and Quality (AHRQ), the recommended rate of a target recall rate is less than 10%. In Oregon Imaging’s first year of using the 3D technology, the rate was 5.59%.
When the imaging clinic brought 3D technology to Lane County, it advertised a reduction in “false positives” or “callbacks” of 40%.
“The numbers from the first year of using 3D are even better than we had even hoped. However, the down side of doubling our accuracy means that when women are called back after a diagnostic screening, it is likely something of concern,” Sims said.
“The silver lining is that the biopsies we perform are more likely to have saved a life because they detected cancer, which means we are potentially changing a life ending event to a story that breast cancer survivors tell their children and grandchildren.”
As part of its commitment to better serving their patients and in measuring success, Oregon Imaging participates in the National Mammography Database (NMD) that is managed by ACR. Participation in the database allows access to compare variations in benchmark data to find opportunities for improvement and continually provide patients with the best care possible.
Oregon Imaging Centers is a locally owned medical imaging provider with 25 years of experience serving Lane County patients. While using the newest and most convenient technologies, it relies on its highly specialized radiologists, compassionate team of technologists and patient care specialists to bring quality care to its patients. Services include mammography, MRI, CT, Ultrasound, X-Ray, DXA, Fluoroscopy and PET. With clinics in Eugene and Springfield, extended hours and a reputation of dedication to innovation, it is a preferred care provider. For more information, visit www.oregonimaging.com or call 541-687-7134.
