Validating quality breast care: three new validation programs for 2007

Background Despite advances in treatment and decreases in mortality, high-quality breast care is distributed unevenly across the country. Efforts to measure and monitor the quality of breast care have been initiated for breast centers and breast surgeons. Methods The current efforts to define measures of breast care quality were examined. Each program was defined by their quality indicators, ease of use, and potential problems. Results Three new innovative programs were identified: (1) the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers uses an on-site survey of the structural components of breast center care to offer breast center accreditation; (2) the National Quality Measures for Breast Care (National Consortium of Breast Centers, Inc, Warsaw, IN) uses a confidential online questionnaire of process indicators to offer quality breast center certification; and (3) the American Society of Breast Surgeons program uses a confidential online questionnaire to validate breast surgeon quality. Conclusions Three new programs to validate quality breast care are available in 2007. One or more of these programs likely will be used to validate increased payments for quality care. Breast centers and breast surgeons are advised to consider participation in these programs.