CEU/CME Exceptions Due to Terrorist Attacks

Since the terrorist attacks of September 11, our country has been dealing with their direct and indirect effects. All of us must adjust to the “new reality.” The Mammography Quality Standards Act (MQSA) program is no exception. While only a relatively few mammography facilities were directly impacted by the attacks, the entire radiological community has been affected.

 

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is working with the American College of Radiology to help facilities in the immediate vicinity of New York’s World Trade Center maintain their accreditation and certification. Additionally, FDA is aware that some mammography facility personnel have been unable, or will be unable for some period of time, to attend some continuing education (CME/CEU) programs due to program cancellations or inability to travel to the meetings.

 

If a facility is scheduled for an inspection and has personnel who fail to meet the CME/CEU requirement due to the terrorist attacks, it should:

 

1. Inform the MQSA inspector at the time of scheduling the inspection.

2. At the time of the inspection, provide verification that the personnel were scheduled to obtain the CME/CEU but were unable to attend as a consequence of the terrorist attacks. This verification may include copies of program registrations, travel/reservation arrangements, cancellation letters, or other similar documents.

At the time of the inspection, provide a written explanation of how the facility plans for the personnel to obtain the balance of the required CME/CEU as soon as reasonably possible.

 

If the above materials are provided, the facility should not be cited for failure of the CME/CEU requirement.