The HealthCenter’s MRI department became the first in the state this week to receive American College of Radiology’s gold seal of accreditation in breast MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging).

The three-year term of accreditation establishes The HealthCenter in Kalispell as offering the highest level of image quality and patient safety in breast MRI services. The accreditation goes only to facilities that meet American College of Radiology practice guidelines and technical standards.

Magnetic resonance imaging of the breast offers valuable information about many breast conditions that other modalities, such as mammography or ultrasound, may not produce.

Accreditation came after a panel of board-certified physicians and medical physicists reviewed the breast MRI program at The HealthCenter.

They assessed image quality, personnel qualifications, adequacy of facility equipment, quality control procedures, and quality assurance programs. Their findings went to the ACR Committee on Accreditation that provided The HealthCenter with a comprehensive report it can use for continuous improvement.

Two other Montana facilities, in Missoula and Bozeman, are under review for accreditation.