The Cherokee Indian Hospital Authority (CIHA) is proud to announce that its Radiology Department has once again successfully passed the annual Mammography Quality Standards Act (MQSA) inspection conducted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This achievement reflects CIHA’s commitment to delivering the highest standards in women’s health and diagnostic imaging.
The MQSA, first enacted in 1992, was established to ensure early and accurate breast cancer detection through high-quality mammography services. These annual inspections evaluate every facet of a mammography facility—from image quality and equipment performance to staff qualifications and patient safety.
“Passing the FDA/MQSA inspection is a critical benchmark for mammography facilities in the United States,” said Kimberly Middleton, Radiology Manager at CIHA. “It’s about more than just compliance, it means our patients can trust that they’re receiving the safest, most accurate breast cancer screenings possible.”
To maintain MQSA certification, CIHA’s mammography program must meet a series of rigorous requirements:
- Accreditation by an FDA-approved body such as the American College of Radiology (ACR)
- Ongoing training and education for technologists, radiologists, and medical physicists
- Routine equipment testing, maintenance, and quality control procedures
- A structured quality assurance program and outcomes analysis
- Timely, understandable result notifications for patients
- Comprehensive recordkeeping for exams and reports
Beyond the technical standards, MQSA compliance also serves as a symbol of excellence—bolstering patient trust, ensuring eligibility for insurance reimbursement, and safeguarding against regulatory issues. At CIHA, meeting these standards goes beyond just passing the inspection and instead serves to highlight our commitment to providing the level of care that our patients deserve—care rooted in safety, accuracy, and compassion.
With this milestone, the Radiology Department continues to lead the way in operational excellence and women’s health advocacy across the region.