Digital Mammography Conversion

  • Those who fail are the ones who rush into implementation. Although “speed to market” has merit in this space, hastily converting without understanding complexities of the conversion process can impact results, ROI and user satisfaction.
  • Converting to digital mammography means more than just replacing equipment! It means building a completely new imaging workflow and compliance with MQSA (Mammography Quality Standards Act) which does not apply to other modalities.

Benefits and Barriers of Converting to Digital Mammography


There are advantages to using full-field digital mammography (FFDM) systems such as GE Healthcare’s Senographe. But to achieve success and maximize benefits for both the patient and the department, conversion requires attention to factors such as strategic planning, comprehensive workflow adjustments and system integration.

Healthcare organizations that have already converted from analog to digital mammography-or are considering making the leap-are not alone. According to the American College of Radiology, (ACR) roughly 20 percent of U.S. healthcare providers currently offer digital mammography, and digital volume is expected to increase more than 100 percent over the next decade.

There are important considerations in making the move, however, that go beyond the technology itself.


Tackling the Challenges


Converting to digital mammography involves more than simply upgrading or replacing a piece of equipment. It entails analyzing the specific needs of the facility, developing or redesigning a comprehensive imaging workflow and ensuring compliance with all appropriate standards.

Optimizing workflow is essential to meeting the needs of patients, technologists and radiologists. For patients, this means minimal wait time for an appointment and prompt service once she arrives. Technologists and radiologists should be able to communicate effectively, and since mammography interpretation requires the use of prior studies, it is important to consider the most efficient approach to comparing digital and analog images. Analyzing and improving mammography report turnaround time is also an important aspect of the conversion process, and a key indicator of overall success with the conversion, as shown in the following graphic.

Example of Optimal Report Turnaround Time

Example of Optimal Report Turnaround Time

Having electronic access to images and information can enhance productivity, but it requires an IT system configuration, as well as an adequate network and storage infrastructure. The key is to balance the concept of an ideal clinical workflow against the realities of the network.

Education is another critical component when converting to digital mammography. The transition process for any digital conversion is complex-especially when it involves sophisticated software and technology-and it is sometimes easy to shortchange or overlook issues related to training and building end-user acceptance. In mammography, training is often an even bigger issue for busy radiologists, as frustration is common during the learning curve for soft copy read.


Going Digital: A Readiness Quiz


The following questions may help you determine whether your facility is ready for conversion to digital mammography, or whether you may require expert guidance:

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1. Have you developed a strategy that addresses how to maintain a patient-centric environment while effectively handling high imaging volumes?                    
2. Do you have a plan on how to eliminate current underlying operational inefficiencies that may affect your success with digital conversion?                    
3. Have you determined an approach that will combine analog and digital workflows while maximizing user satisfaction?                    
4. Do you have a formal plan for eliminating workflow redundancies (such as paperwork) to increase throughput efficiencies while maintaining or enhancing communication between technologists and radiologists?                    
5. Do you know how you will implement various soft-copy interpretive approaches (image routing, historical comparisons, digitizing, network traffic, image archiving), and have you determined how they affect radiologist workflows, efficiencies and satisfaction?                    


Effective planning can be complex and requires dedicated time, teamwork and experience in bringing together all the necessary technical and change management elements to support the conversion process. Incorporating the benefits of advanced technology must be achieved while addressing unique user needs, workflow and operational efficiency.

Admittedly, such a balancing act is not easy. The rewards for careful planning, however, can be seen in terms of increased patient and staff satisfaction, higher productivity, better quality of care, and a strong return on the technology investment. The path each organization takes to implement a digital mammography system can make a major difference in the realization of the expected results for both patient and provider.

For more information about conversion to digital mammography, contact the GE Healthcare Digital Mammography Conversion Expert Team at digitalconversion@ge.com.