Claxton-Hepburn’s mammography supervisor Lori Salazar, mammography technologist Leslie Felt and, sitting, ultrasound technologist Carly Lacey.

OGDENSBURG -- Claxton-Hepburn Medical center’s stereotactic breast biopsy has been awarded a three-year term of accreditation after review by the American College of Radiology (ACR).

A breast biopsy is performed to remove cells — either surgically or through a less invasive procedure involving a hollow needle — from an area in the breast suspected to be cancerous. These cells are examined under a microscope to determine a diagnosis. In stereotactic breast biopsy, a special mammography machine helps guide the radiologist’s or surgeon’s instruments to the site of an abnormal growth.

The ACR gold seal of accreditation represents the highest level of image quality and patient safety. It is awarded only to facilities meeting ACR Practice Guidelines and Technical Standards after a peer-review evaluation by board-certified physicians and medical physicists who are experts in the field. Image quality, personnel qualifications, adequacy of facility equipment, quality control procedures, and quality assurance programs are assessed. The findings are reported to the ACR Committee on Accreditation, which subsequently provides the practice with a comprehensive report they can use for continuous practice improvement.

Ali Gharagozloo, MD, chief of radiology at Claxton-Hepburn said, “The ACR accreditation confirms that our work in breast health care is of the highest quality. This, as well as our team approach, sets us apart from other organizations because at Claxton-Hepburn, our surgeons and/or I perform the procedure.”

The ACR is a national professional organization serving more than 36,000 radiology professionals.

For more information about breast health services at Claxton-Hepburn, call (888) 908-2462.