#density: Does there need to be a density report on both screenings AND diagnostic studies?

QUESTION: 

If a patient had a screening and then returned for their diagnostic mammo study, does there need to be a breast density on those reports? We would like to confirm that we have been told that any mammo needs a density and imaging assessment. 

ANSWER:

The current and amended MQSA regulations require that facilities send a mammography report and patient lay summary for each mammographic examination performed under its certificate; there is no differentiation between screening and diagnostic mammograms. Therefore, the federal breast density assessment must be included in every report to the referring healthcare provider, and the density notification statement must be included in every lay summary to the patient. The regulations will require that the interpreting physician make an overall assessment of breast density in each mammography report, regardless of the type of exam or the overall final assessment of findings given to that exam. 

All information in this answer and all others are sourced from the MQSA Hotline at +1 (800) 838-7715. For other questions, contact Mammologix or the MQSA Program directly!