ACR Quality of Care Committee

To achieve its quality-related objectives, the ACR leadership formed the Quality of Care Committee (QoC) in summer 2004. The necessary steps in the ACR quality improvement effort have been assigned to the subcommittees of the QoC:

1. define the population of patients to whom the QI effort is being directed (Criteria Subcommittee)
2. define the criteria by which effective treatment can be demonstrated (Criteria Subcommittee)
3. define and update the evidence-based guideline for managing that population (Guidelines Subcommittee)
4. define the quality indicators by which adherence to the guidelines can be measured (Quality Measures Subcommittee)
5. define the systems by which the measurement data can be collected, tracked, and reported (Quality Measures Subcommittee)

ACR Quality of Care Committee Charge and Activities

The ACR, through the activities of the QoC, strives to improve quality of life for patients with rheumatic and musculoskeletal disease. ACR quality efforts are rheumatologist-led but patient-centric endeavors that involve ACR members as well as outside organizations and representatives. They address both process and outcome measures for rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases that are relevant to primary as well as specialty care. Collaborative interactions with key organizations are fostered whenever possible. Measures are identified for clinical as well as research purposes. The committee focuses on management recommendations and on treatment, to underscore the importance of non-pharmacological therapy.

Specifically, the ACR Quality of Care Committee has the following charge:

• Develop and implement a plan to create and maintain:
• Diagnostic/Classification criteria for selected musculoskeletal and rheumatic diseases
• Outcome Measures/Response Criteria for selected musculoskeletal and rheumatic diseases
• Treatment Guidelines/Management recommendations for musculoskeletal and rheumatic diseases
• A set of quality process and outcome performance selected quality measures for rheumatology practice
• Disseminate quality measures
• Develop implementation tools for practitioners
• Provide timely, accurate and comprehensive data to rheumatologists on safety of rheumatologic therapeutics
• Develop expertise and new approaches to more effectively determine the safety of rheumatologic therapeutics

The Quality of Care Committee is comprised of members from several disciplines within rheumatology, including clinical and health services research, clinicians and educators.