STARKVILLE – Hundreds of patients who received mammograms performed at the Center for Breast Health and Imaging over the past two years are now being told to have their exams re-evaluated.
Baptist Memorial Health Care, which now owns the facility that was formerly managed by OCH Regional Medical Center, sent letters to affected patients that said mammography services at the facility have not been compliant with federal regulations.
The letter, a copy of which The Dispatch obtained from a recipient who requested anonymity due to privacy concerns, notified patients about a “serious concern about the quality of mammograms” performed at the facility between Oct. 30, 2023 and Oct. 30, 2025.
“This does not necessarily mean that the results you and your health care providers were given are wrong,” the letter reads. “However, most patients will need to have their mammogram performed at our facility reviewed to determine whether a repeat mammogram at another facility is needed.”
Rob Roberson, attorney for Oktibbeha County Board of Supervisors, said the lapse happened while the imaging facility was under OCH Regional Medical Center management. The county sold OCH and its affiliated clinics to Baptist in October, with net proceeds estimated to land between $55 million and $58 million.
“Before Baptist purchased the hospital, there apparently was a technician that had some type of (necessary) certification that had either quit, moved somewhere else,” Roberson said.
Roberson said approximately 7,000 mammograms were performed during the two-year timeframe.
All mammography facilities – aside from those within the U.S. Department of Veterans – must comply with the Mammography Quality Standards Act, which the Food and Drug Administration is responsible for enforcing. A mammogram is an X-ray that detects early signs of breast cancer.
MQSA requires all mammography facilities to follow federally developed quality standards for personnel qualifications, equipment, radiation dose, quality assurance programs and record keeping and reporting.
Kim Alexander, director of public relations and internal communications for Baptist Memorial Health Care, said the issue was discovered in October during a standard review by the American College of Radiology.
“We are hiring new staff and providing extensive training for existing staff to help them meet American College of Radiology/U.S. Food & Drug Administration and Baptist Memorial Hospital’s standards, so that we can resume providing mammography services as soon as possible,” Alexander wrote in an email to The Dispatch.
Additionally, Alexander said the hospital is working with accredited radiology staff to re-evaluate patients’ scans.
“Baptist is doing everything possible to make this right for patients,” she said. “We also have arranged for an accredited Baptist mobile mammography unit to be available on site two to three days a week.”
Roberson said the county also aims to ensure patients receive a new mammogram if needed, including offering to cover whatever costs health insurance does not. The county has roughly $3.8 million of hospital proceeds set aside to cover potential lawsuits.
“Anybody that wants to get another mammogram done, we’re making certain that (they) can get in there and get that taken care of,” Roberson said. “Whatever insurance doesn’t pay, … the county’s going to pay to make certain that these people are done (right).”
According to the letter, Baptist also sent letters notifying health care providers that their patients may need to have their mammograms reviewed and possibly redone.
“This does not necessarily mean that the results you and your health care providers were given are wrong,” the letter reads. “However, most patients will need to have their mammogram(s) performed at our facility reviewed to determine whether a repeat mammogram at another facility is needed.”
Patients who received the letter can also contact Baptist directly to request a re-evaluation of their mammogram results or to schedule a new mammogram at a different facility.
“This disruption only affects mammography services at this location,” Alexander said. “The hospital remains accredited to perform other radiology services.”
McRae is a general assignment and education reporter for The Dispatch.
Posted in News
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