Quality of Care

With both specialized scientific knowledge and clinical experience, rheumatologists are the most qualified professionals to develop effective measures of treatment of patients with often-complex and challenging rheumatic illnesses. Because national quality organizations, medical societies and government organizations must assess QPIs before their adoption as established national standards, the ACR is proactively collaborating with these stakeholders to develop and review performance measures for rheumatologic care.

Quality Indicators

A quality performance indicator – or QPI – is a process or measure used to assess quality of care. QPIs are based on the best available scientific information and expert opinion that will benefit patients (outcomes), physicians (efficiency) and consequently the health system (safety and productivity). QPIs may be used by payors to create pay-for-performance and other reimbursement programs.

Through its members, the ACR will not only lead the creation of rheumatology-related QPIs, but will strongly advocate for adoption of the ACR-endorsed QPIs by the health system and payors nationwide as the best practices for rheumatologic care.

View the ACR set of quality indicators by clicking on the links below:

Rheumatoid Arthritis
Osteoporosis
Gout
Drug Safety

RA Measures Public Comment Period Now Open

The ACR is collaborating with the AMA Physician Consortium for Performance Improvement and the National Committee for Quality Assurance on the development of new RA quality indicators based in part on the revised RA guidelines. These measures are now available for public comment through July 1. To review the measures and learn more about public comment, please visit: http://www.ncqa.org/tabid/745/Default.aspx

Clinical Data Management Tool

The ACR is investigating possible tools to help practitioners comply with increased demands from payors.