title: Assessment of characteristics of capacity among breast cancer screening facilities.
abstract: Use of mammograms to detect presence of breast cancer is influenced by many factors, including ability to access mammography services. Access to services is often affected by the capacity of mammography facilities to serve women. We sought to describe the capacity of mammography facilities to conduct mammograms in a largely urban area of Texas. We used a 24-item survey to all mammography facilities in Texas Public Health Region 6/5 South. The survey contained questions across six domains: facility type, scheduling, staffing, mechanical capacity, cost/payment methods, and patient reminders. We received or completed 60 surveys (43%). Most of the facilities were open only Monday through Friday (61.7%) and were open only during typical business hours (51.7%). About 83% of the facilities had one or two machines. Most facilities had only one or two staff to conduct mammograms. The results of this survey indicate that the capacity of mammography facilities vary dramatically across many characteristics of capacity. As these indicators are tied to the ability of women to access necessary preventive services, it is important to determine how these characteristics are associated with mammography utilization.
authors: Work Group for Community Health and Development, University of Kansas, 1000 Sunnyside Ave., Dole Center, Rm. 4082, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA. vcollie@ku.edu
authors: Vicki L
authors: VL
authors: Collie-Akers
authors: Cynthia
authors: C
authors: Warrick
authors: Li
authors: L
authors: Zhu
authors: Misha
authors: M
authors: Granado
authors: Kymeiria
authors: K
authors: Ingram
mesh_terms: D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000517:prevention & control; D003954:Diagnostic Services / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006272:Health Facility Environment / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D008327:Mammography / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010561:Personnel Staffing and Scheduling / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013781:Texas; D019037:Urban Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration; D014850:Waiting Lists