Quality Assurance Working Group (1997-2000)

Purpose: In 1997, the ICSN undertook a quality assurance program assessment. The purpose of this assessment was to determine the scope of quality assurance activities for population-based screening mammography across ICSN countries. Specific components of the assessment included:

1. the organization of quality assurance for screening mammography;
2. quality control practices;
3. quality assurance in follow-up and treatment; and
4. quality assurance for data to evaluate screening mammography program performance.

Members: Carrie Klabunde (Co-Chair), Rachel Ballard-Barbash (Co-Chair), Francoise Bouchard, Mary Codd, Andre Grivegnee, Ed Hendrick, Sue Moss, Vitor Rodriques, Hélène Sancho-Garnier, Astrid Scharpantgen, Stephen Taplin

Activities: The Quality Assurance Working Group was active until 2000 when it split into the Performance Parameters Evaluation Group and the Mortality Evaluation Group. Twenty-three countries participated in the assessment. Four papers summarizing project results have been published as listed below:

1. Hendrick RE, Klabunde C, Grivegnee A, Pou G, Ballard-Barbash R. Technical quality control practices in mammography screening programs in 22 countries. Int J Qual Health Care 2002 Jun;14(3):219-26. [View Abstract]
2. Klabunde CN, Sancho-Garnier H, Taplin S, Thoresen S, Ohuchi N, Ballard-Barbash R; International Breast Cancer Screening Network. Quality assurance in follow-up and initial treatment for screening mammography programs in 22 countries. Int J Qual Health Care 2002 Dec;14(6):449-61. [View Abstract]
3. Klabunde C, Bouchard F, Taplin S, Scharpantgen A, Ballard-Barbash R; International Breast Cancer Screening Network (IBSN). Quality assurance for screening mammography: an international comparison. J Epidemiol Community Health 2001 Mar;55(3):204-12. [View Abstract]
4. Klabunde CN, Sancho-Garnier H, Broeders M, Thoresen S, Rodrigues VJ, Ballard-Barbash R. Quality assurance for screening mammography data collection systems in 22 countries. Int J Technol Assess Health Care 2001 Fall;17(4):528-41. [View Abstract]