Quality Measurement
Delivering high-quality patient care is paramount to rheumatologists and rheumatology health professionals. Implementation of evidence-based medicine and ongoing practice assessment/improvement help rheumatologists provide the best care possible. The American College of Rheumatology develops, tests, and endorses rheumatology quality measures that are clinically meaningful and relevant to rheumatologists and others who care for rheumatic disease patients. Learn more:
- 2025 RISE Registry Qualified Clinical Data Registry Quality Measures:
This summary PDF details quality measures available for quality performance tracking in the 2025 performance year via the ACR RISE registry. Updated annually.
Learn more about the RISE registry. - Methods for Developing the ACR’s Electronic Clinical Quality Measures:
This ACR paper outlines the methodological approach the ACR uses for electronic clinical quality measure (eCQM) development. Published October 2016. - ACR White Paper on Performance Outcome Measures in Rheumatology:
This ACR paper highlights the opportunities and challenges of developing and implementing performance outcome measures in rheumatology for accountability purposes. Published October 2016.
Quality Measurement Implementation Guides
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) Measures Toolkit
In 2023, the ACR released its first implementation guide, the Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) Measures Toolkit. In this toolkit, you will find succinct summaries of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) disease activity and physical function recommendations pertaining to RA measures. The toolkit includes sample workflows, foreign language translations, implementation examples and testimonials, and resources.
Access Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) Measures Toolkit >
Development Of Quality Measures Related To Patient Reported Outcome Measure (PROM) Use For Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) Clinical Care
This paper details the process of physicians, patients, and researcher representatives identifying patient-reported outcome (PRO) domains most important to people with SLE. Depression, physical function, pain, cognition, and fatigue were identified as high-priority domains.
Access the full publication >
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) Quality Measures Implementation Guide
To support clinicians in providing high-quality, patient-centered care, the American College of Rheumatology (ACR), with financial support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), has developed a set of quality measures for SLE that are both evidence-based and actionable.
To assist practices utilizing the new lupus quality measures, the ACR created the SLE Quality Measures Implementation Guide. This guide includes information on recommended clinical and patient reported outcome quality measures for lupus, testimonials, example workflows, and additional resources to support the improvement of patient care.
Access the guide >
Disease Activity and Functional Status Assessments
Routine assessments of disease activity and functional status are a key part of high-quality rheumatologic care. The ACR endorses five rheumatoid arthritis (RA) disease activity measures, as well as three RA functional status assessment measures for use in routine clinical practice.
2019 Recommended Rheumatoid Arthritis Disease Activity Measures Appendix
For more information about this measure, please contact Daniel Aletaha, MD.
- AS28 CRP online calculator (after clicking online calculator, select DAS28-CRP from the drop-down menu)
- Electronic calculator for DAS28 CRP
- DAS28 ESR online calculator (after clicking online calculator, select DAS28 from the drop-down menu)
- Electronic calculator for DAS28 ESR
- Disease activity score sheet from a member (items submitted by members have been provided voluntarily for other members to use in their practices)
For more information about these measures, contact P.L. C.M. van Riel.
For more information about this measure, visit the National Databank for Rheumatic Diseases.
For more information about this measure, contact Frederick Wolfe, MD.
For information about this measure, visit the PROMIS page on the HealthMeasures website.
The MDHAQ™ and the RAPID3™ are protected by copyright and owned by Theodore Pincus, MD. All requests for permission must be made in writing, in advance of intended use. For more information about these measures, contact Theodore Pincus, MD.
For more information about this measure, contact Josef Smolen, MD.
