Compliance with Age-appropriate Imaging Protocols in a Symptomatic Breast Clinic :A Closed-Loop Radiology Audit
Saba Fatima, Saman Chaudhry

Background:

In symptomatic breast clinics, patients are assessed with breast pain and lump . Selecting the appropriate initial imaging modality based on patient age is recommended as inappropriate imaging leads to unnecessary ionizing radiation exposure in younger women and potential diagnostic delays or missed malignancies in older patients.

Aim:

The aim of this audit is to determine compliance of breast clinic working with age-based symptomatic breast imaging guidelines, implement workflow interventions, and then re-audit to close the quality loop.

Audit standards

Departmental performance was assessed against established protocols of Best practice diagnostic guidelines for patients presenting with breast symptoms 3 and Guidance on screening andsymptomatic breast imaging Fifth edition by RCR .

Indicators and targets:

Young Patient (Age < 40): Target > 95% compliance. Initial imaging must be ultrasound (US) alone. Mammography should be performed as an add-on if clinically indicated.
Older Patient (Age ≥ 40): Target >95% compliance. Initial imaging must include dual-modality evaluation (Mammography + targeted Ultrasound).