Quality assurance
Only the designated screening centers can offer screening mammograms in the PQDCS. They are designated by the Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux and they can be a private radiology clinic or hospital.
To be a designated screening center, the clinic or hospital has to meet quality criteria defined by the program. These centers must meet the following requirements:
- Hold accreditation from the Mammography Accreditation Program (MAP) of the Canadian Association of Radiologists
. This accreditation is granted for a three year period. - Hold certification in mammography screening from the Laboratoire de santé publique du Québec de l’Institut national de santé publique du Québec , including evidence of safety devices. This certification must be updated annually.
- Be recommended by the Agency for Health and Social Services. Indeed, the regional agency shall recommend to the Ministère clinics or hospitals that may be designated as screening centers in the PQDCS in their territory.
All professionals working in these centers must have recognized competence by professional organization. In Québec, it is also professional organization who ensure the quality of the professional practice of their members.
