title: Evolution of mammographic image quality in the state of Rio de Janeiro.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the evolution of mammographic image quality in the state of Rio de Janeiro on the basis of parameters measured and analyzed during health surveillance inspections in the period from 2006 to 2011.
  
  
  METHODS
  Descriptive study analyzing parameters connected with imaging quality of 52 mammography apparatuses inspected at least twice with a one-year interval.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Amongst the 16 analyzed parameters, 7 presented more than 70% of conformity, namely: compression paddle pressure intensity (85.1%), films development (72.7%), film response (72.7%), low contrast fine detail (92.2%), tumor mass visualization (76.5%), absence of image artifacts (94.1%), mammography-specific developers availability (88.2%). On the other hand, relevant parameters were below 50% conformity, namely: monthly image quality control testing (28.8%) and high contrast details with respect to microcalcifications visualization (47.1%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The analysis revealed critical situations in terms of compliance with the health surveillance standards. Priority should be given to those mammography apparatuses that remained non-compliant at the second inspection performed within the one-year interval.
authors.affiliation: Master, Health Management Analyst at Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas/Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Vanessa Cristina Felippe Lopes
authors.initials: VC
authors.lastname: Villar
authors.affiliation: PhDs, Professors, Public Health Post-Graduation Program, Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública Sergio Arouca/Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Marismary Horsth De
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Seta
authors.affiliation: PhDs, Professors, Public Health Post-Graduation Program, Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública Sergio Arouca/Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Carla Lourenço Tavares
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: de Andrade
authors.affiliation: Master, Research Assistant at Health Surveillance Collaboration Center - Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública Sergio Arouca/Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Elizabete Vianna
authors.initials: EV
authors.lastname: Delamarque
authors.affiliation: PhD, Physicist, Rio de Janeiro State Heath Secretariat, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Ana Cecília Pedrosa
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: de Azevedo
keywords: Breast neoplasms; Health care; Mammography; Public health surveillance; Quality assurance; Quality control