FDA Warns of Problems With Quality of Mammograms at Capitol Radiology, LLC

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is alerting patients who had mammograms at Capitol Radiology, LLC, doing business as Laurel Radiology Services, located in Laurel, Maryland, about possible problems with the quality of their mammograms taken on or after June 26, 2018.  If you or someone you love had a mammogram at this facility during this time, it is important that you take action.

A mammogram is a safe, low-dose, X-ray picture of the breast. It is currently the most effective primary screening method for detecting breast cancer in its earliest, most treatable stages.

Woman receiving a mammogram alongside technician

Mammograms are safe, low dose x-ray images of breast tissue that help to detect breast cancer in its earliest stages

Summary of Problem

The FDA became aware of problems associated with the quality of mammograms performed at:

Capitol Radiology, LLC 
dba Laurel Radiology Services 
7350 Van Dusen Rd. 
Suite B-10
Laurel, MD 20707

The facility’s annual MQSA inspection revealed that the facility failed to obtain accreditation of its Full Field Digital Mammography (FFDM) unit from the facility’s accreditation body, the American College of Radiology (ACR), prior to using the unit to image patients.

Additionally, the facility failed to perform the required weekly review workstation compliance quality control test for at least twelve (12) consecutive weeks between June 16, 2020, through September 12, 2020. As a result, the FDA notified the facility that it was required to undergo an additional Mammography Review (AMR) to determine if the overall quality of mammography performed at the facility was compromised due to the failure of the facility to operate in compliance with the MQSA, and whether there was a need to notify affected patients.

The ACR conducted the AMR of mammograms performed by Capitol Radiology, LLC doing business as Laurel Radiology Services, and the result indicated the mammograms did not meet the ACR’s clinical image evaluation criteria, and some of the deficiencies were severe. On March 24, 2021, the ACR revoked the facility’s accreditation and on March 25, 2021, the FDA placed the facility’s MQSA certificate in a “no longer in effect” status.

On March 25, 2021, the FDA directed the facility’s owner to notify all patients who received mammograms at Capitol Radiology, LLC, doing business as Laurel Radiology Services, on or after June 26, 2018, and their referring healthcare providers about the problems with the mammography quality at the facility. To date, the facility has not performed the ordered notifications.

Under the MQSA, the FDA requires that all mammography facilities meet certain baseline quality standards and be certified to operate in the United States legally. This facility did not meet the standards for mammography quality under the MQSA. This facility may not legally perform mammography at this time, as it does not have an active MQSA certificate.

Recommendations for Medical Malpractice Victims

  • If you have had a more recent mammogram at a different Mammography Quality Standards Act (MQSA)-certified facility on or after June 26, 2018 follow the recommendations from that facility.
  • If you have not had a mammogram at a different Mammography Quality Standards Act (MQSA)-certified facility on or after June 26, 2018, follow these guidelines:
    • Consider asking for your mammogram and copies of your medical reports from Capitol Radiology, LLC, doing business as Laurel Radiology Services, and have your mammogram reviewed at a MQSA-certified facility to decide if a repeat mammogram or more medical follow-up is needed. As a patient, you or your representatives have the right to ask for your mammograms and copies of your medical reports.
    • A  database of Mammography Quality Standards Act (MQSA)-certified facilities can be found online, or you can call the National Cancer Institute’s information telephone number at 1-800-422-6237 to find a MQSA-certified facility in your area

Discuss Your Options with a Baltimore Medical Malpractice Attorney

Catching breast cancer in its early stages is key in a positive prognosis. A low-quality mammogram could result in warning signs of breast cancer being overlooked. If you or someone you love believe that their cancer diagnosis or treatment may have been impacted by the quality of a mammogram taken at Capitol Radiology, LLC, doing business as Laurel Radiology Services, located in Laurel, Maryland on or after June 26, 2018, contact an attorney at the Law Office of Peter Angelos, P.C. With over 50 years of experience representing victims and families throughout Maryland, our team has the knowledge and expertise to help guide you through the complexity of a medical malpractice claim.

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