Quality Report Card
When selecting a breast center, it’s important to understand key indicators of quality. The checklist and questions below will help you see why the Carilion Clinic Breast Care Center in Roanoke, Virginia, is a local and national leader.
Top 10 Criteria for High-Quality Breast Care Centers
- High-volume screening center
We perform nearly 30,000 screening mammograms a year. - Breast radiologists on-site in a dedicated diagnostic center
We have five breast imagers who specialize in mammography, ultrasound and MRI, and radiologist who devote 50-100 percent of their time to breast care. - Dedicated mammography technologists and ultrasonographers
We have mammography-certified technologists and certified ultrasonographers who work exclusively for us. - Commitment to all women for screening services, regardless of ability to pay
The Carilion Clinic Breast Care Center, a not-for-profit program, is the administrator of a breast and cervical cancer early detection program for uninsured and under-insured women. - Minimal wait time for appointments
Screening appointments are available in as little as two days, and diagnostic appointments are available within four days. - Weekly case review
We hold weekly conferences for case review and planning for women diagnosed with cancer as well as those with benign results. - Advanced practice nursing support and genetic counseling on-site
We have a dedicated, master’s level advanced practice nurse and genetics counselor on-site for emotional support, counseling and navigation - Same-day biopsy results
We’re proud to say that 98 percent of our patients receive biopsy results the same or next day. - Same-day diagnostic mammogram results
Even more impressive, 100 percent of diagnostic mammograms receive same-day diagnosis by a breast radiologist at our dedicated diagnostic center. - Quick results for screening mammograms
We mail mammogram results within a day or two, but abnormal results warrant a phone call shortly after the screening exam.
Quality Questions and Answers
Radiologist Performance
- What is the sensitivity and specificity?
Sensitivity is screening mammography’s ability to detect cancer, and specificity is the radiologist’s ability to detect cancer.
Carilion results: 90 percent sensitivity, 91 percent specificity - What percent of cancers are found on screening mammography?
A higher percent of cancers detected by screening indicates higher screening levels and outreach.
Carilion results: 58 percent - How many screen-detected cancers are <15 mm?
Survival outcome is greatest in small cancers; radiologists who can detect invasive cancers this small are experts in breast imaging.
Carilion results: 60 percent - What is the recall rate?
This is the percentage of women called back for additional screening (the benchmark is <10 percent).
Carilion result: 7 percent
Surgical Performance
- What is the percent of re-excision?
This refers to the number of women who experience a second surgery due to unclear margins.
Carilion result: 13 percent - How many breast cancers are diagnosed by needle biopsy?
This indicator shows how many women receive diagnosis with a minimally-invasive approach.
Carilion result: 96 percent - What is the lymph node positivity percentage for screening cancer?
This indicates cancer spread; a lower number indicates a strong screening program.
Carilion result: 7 percent
Cancer Outcome
- What is the percentage of screening cancers detected at stages I and II?
A high percentage of screening cancers detected at lower stage levels is an indication of high-quality breast imaging, as screening cancers are asymptomatic.
Carilion result: 77 percent - What is the percentage of diagnostic cancers detected at stages I and II?
Diagnostic cancers have a lower percentage of lower stage levels because they are not detected by screening
Carilion result: 44 percent
