OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of health surveillance actions on the quality of mammographic images in the Paraíba State, Brazil. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventeen mammography services were required by the Health Surveillance Agency to apply quality tests according to the Ministry of Health Ordinance no. 453/98. Specifically designed breast phantoms were utilized for quality assessment. Each service was given a score corresponding to the images quality. The achievement of a minimum rating level of 70% for quality items was considered as fundamental. Scores for images quality in these services were analyzed in the period from 1999 to 2003. RESULTS: The percentages of mammographic centers that met the essential quality criterion were: 1999 (25%), 2000 (77%), 2001 (82%), 2002 (77%) and 2003 (81%). CONCLUSION: The obtained results demonstrate a significant progress in the quality of diagnostic images produced by the mammography services after the implementation of images quality control programs.
Mammography; Quality control; Breast cancer; Health surveillance
