With specialized scientific knowledge, clinical experience, and methodology expertise, rheumatologists are the most qualified professionals to develop and evaluate quality of care measures for patients with rheumatic illnesses.
Through its members, the ACR is leading the creation of rheumatology-related quality measures. ACR also is strongly advocating for systems and payors nationwide to adopt only ACR-approved measures. To help ACR in these endeavors, the College convened a Quality Measures White Paper Development Workgroup. This diverse group’s activities culminated in publication of the paper, Defining Quality of Care in Rheumatology: The American College of Rheumatology White Paper on Quality Measurement 
, in the January 2011 issue of Arthritis Care & Research. This manuscript synthesizes the information most relevant to the ACR membership regarding quality measurement and provides a consensus-based set of criteria for the review of quality measures submitted to ACR for approval. The criteria guide measure developers and discourage adoption of subpar measures.
This White Paper now serves as the basis for ACR procedures regarding review of quality measures developed externally. Â Questions or comments regarding the ACR quality measure review criteria can be submitted via the ‘Contact Us’ function on the Quality main page.
View ACR developed or approved quality indicators by clicking on the links below:
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Osteoporosis
Gout
Drug Safety
Rheumatoid Arthritis Disease Activity Measures
The ACR has developed new recommendations for RA Disease Activity Measures which will be published in the May 2012 issue of Arthritis Care & Research.
- NEW! Rheumatoid Arthritis Disease Activity Measures: American College of Rheumatology Recommendations for Use in Clinical Practice
Measure Calculators Includes all six Disease Activity Measures (to open this link, right click on your mouse and select "Save Target As")
