U.S. screening mammography services with mobile units: results from the National Survey of Mammography Facilities.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate elements of mobile facilities for mammography in the United States.


METHODS
The prevalence and performance of mobile facilities for mammography in the United States were studied with regard to cost, price, quality assurance, and access. Data were acquired from the National Cancer Institute's National Survey of Mammography Facilities, conducted in 1992.


RESULTS
Of the 1,057 facilities surveyed, 2.4% were identified as mobile and accounted for 3% of mammography examinations performed. All mobile facilities reported accreditation by the American College of Radiology, and 92% were in Statistically Metropolitan Areas. Most were affiliated with community hospitals or private radiology practice and were more likely to be associated with lower fees, convenient operating hours, batch interpretation, and computerized reporting than were their stationary counterparts.


CONCLUSIONS
Mobile mammography facilities compare favorably with stationary facilities. The use of these mobile units in the United States, however, has been limited.
Brown
M L
ML
National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute, Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
Fintor
L
L
D000068:Accreditation; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D003625:Data Collection; D005251:Fees, Medical; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D008327:Mammography / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008952:Mobile Health Units / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009935:Organizational Affiliation; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D014481:United States