MQSA Mammography Physics Survey Checklist
Organize the equipment, QC, corrective-action, and facility records needed before an annual mammography medical physicist survey, ACR testing, or mammography equipment evaluation.
Records and equipment information
MQSA, FDA, accreditation, manufacturer, and facility requirements all matter. Confirm the exact scope with the qualified mammography medical physicist.
- Facility information: legal facility name, FDA/MQSA certificate information, address, facility contact, accreditation status, and inspection timing.
- Prior annual survey: provide the previous signed medical physicist report and records showing how each identified deficiency or recommendation was addressed.
- Equipment inventory: list every mammography unit, detector, acquisition workstation, printer if used, image receptor, modality component, and diagnostic review workstation in scope.
- System details: manufacturer, model, serial number, software version, installation date, room, detector or receptor configuration, and clinical use.
- Technologist QC: organize required QC records, frequencies, action limits, corrective actions, repeat testing, and documentation of out-of-limit results.
- Equipment changes: identify new installations, relocations, detector replacement, major repairs, software upgrades, workstation changes, or other events that may require a mammography equipment evaluation.
- Service records: have relevant preventive-maintenance and repair documents available, especially when changes could affect image quality, dose, or QC.
- Clinical image and dose context: make available the information required for the applicable survey and accreditation scope without sending patient information through the website contact form.
- Review workstations: identify all radiologist interpretation locations, including off-site or home reading workstations, and note monitor replacements, relocations, or calibration issues.
- Access and staff: reserve equipment time, arrange a qualified mammography technologist, and identify contacts who can answer QC, service, PACS, and accreditation questions.
Annual survey and equipment evaluation needs are different.
| Facility situation | Common physics need |
|---|---|
| Annual survey anniversary approaching | Schedule the annual medical physicist survey early enough to complete testing, reporting, and any necessary follow-up. |
| New unit, relocation, detector replacement, major repair, or other qualifying change | Ask whether a mammography equipment evaluation is required before clinical use or within an applicable timeframe. |
| ACR application, renewal, or deficiency | Coordinate the medical-physics testing and documentation with the current ACR instructions and submission deadline. |
| New or changed interpretation workstation | Define whether workstation performance, display QC, ambient conditions, and documentation need separate evaluation. |
Use current FDA and MQSA requirements.
FDA MQSA Program
Review the FDA's current Mammography Quality Standards Act and MQSA Program information. Confirm applicable FDA, accreditation, state, manufacturer, and facility requirements.
Technical review: reviewed by an ABR-certified diagnostic medical physicist with applicable mammography qualifications. Last reviewed September 2026. This checklist is educational and does not replace facility-specific professional, accreditation, manufacturer, or regulatory review.
Need an annual survey, MEE, or accreditation support?
Send the facility, equipment, survey anniversary, and deadline for a free initial consultation and quote.