Mammography Program

Who We Are

The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) Mammography Program works closely with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to ensure the safety and reliability of mammography examinations provided by facilities within Iowa with the ultimate goal of helping to detect breast cancer at an early and treatable stage.

The Mammography Quality Standards Act of 1992 (MQSA) and subsequent Mammography Quality Standards Reauthorization Act (MQSRA) amendments require that all facilities providing mammography services be accredited and certified. The Iowa Code 136C.15 provides additional requirements for mammography facilities within Iowa. 

Accreditation:

All mammography units must obtain and maintain accreditation by a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved accrediting body (AB). In Iowa, facilities must use the American College of Radiology (ACR) to accredit their mammography units.  

Certification:

Facilities must be certified by the Iowa Department of Public Health (an FDA approved certification agency) prior to providing mammography services. Certification is maintained by continued accreditation of the mammography units at the facility and annual inspections in good standing. The annual inspections are performed by Iowa Department of Public Health inspectors who are qualified to perform MQSA inspections.

Authorization:

All facilities providing mammography or stereotactic breast biopsy services in Iowa must be authorized by the State of Iowa. This includes Iowa facilities accredited by the ACR and mobile facilities who provide services in Iowa.