LUMBERTON — Southeastern Health affiliate Southeastern Radiology Associates was recently re-accredited through 2018 in Stereotactic Breast Biopsy, a needle biopsy technique that uses computer systems and digital mammography to target breast lesions that might be cancerous.
The first Lumberton Stereotactic Breast Biopsy was performed by Dr. James Parker, a radiologist at Southeastern Radiology Associates, in 1997.
“It is a great convenience for our patients that we offer these biopsies in our area,” said Parker. “It is also reassuring to them to have the biopsy in an accredited facility.”
There are 31 accredited Stereotactic Biopsy Centers in North Carolina, but Southeastern Radiology Associates is the only Breast Center of Excellence in the region. The accreditation, issued by the American College of Radiology, is one of the requirements in order for Southeastern Radiology Associates to keep its Breast Center of Excellence classification.
“The accreditation is important because it is a way to let patients and doctors know that we are meeting the standards required by the American College of Radiology and that we provide quality breast biopsies,” Parker said. “I’m very proud of our staff for their hard work to maintain the accreditation.”
The Stereotactic Breast Biopsy Accreditation Program, according to the American College of Radiology Accreditation’s website, provides feedback and peer reviews on staff qualification, quality control and assurance, equipment, image quality, dose and accuracy of needle placement at a facility.
Southeastern Radiology Associates is an outpatient imaging center that provides screening and diagnostic imaging services to the region. For information, call 910-738-8222.
