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ABSTRACT: Background
There is increasing interest in the quality of health care and considerable efforts are being made to improve it. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a disease that can result in favorable outcomes when appropriate diagnosis and treatment are provided. However, several studies have shown that RA is often managed inappropriately. Therefore, the Korean College of Rheumatology aimed to develop quality indicators (QIs) to evaluate and improve the health care of patients with RA.Methods
Preliminary QIs were derived based on the existing guidelines and QIs for RA. The final QIs were determined through two separate consensus meetings of experts. The consensus was achieved through a panel of experts who voted using the modified Delphi method.Results
Fourteen final QIs were selected among 70 preliminary QIs. These included early referral to and regular follow-up with a rheumatologist, radiographs of the hands and feet, early initiation and maintenance of disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD) therapy, periodic assessment of disease activity, screening for drug safety and comorbidities, including viral hepatitis and tuberculosis before biologic DMARD therapy, periodic laboratory testing, supplementation with folic acid, assessment of the risk for cervical spine instability before general anesthesia, patient education, and specialized nurse.Conclusion
These QIs can be used to assess and improve the quality of health care for patients with RA.
SUBMITTER: Seo MR
PROVIDER: S-EPMC8093604 | biostudies-literature | 2021 May
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Seo Mi Ryoung MR Kim Gunwoo G Moon Ki Won KW Sung Yoon Kyoung YK Yoo Jong Jin JJ Yoon Chong Hyeon CH Lee Eun Bong EB Lee Jisoo J Kang Eun Ha EH Kim Hyungjin H Park Eun Jung EJ Uhm Wan Sik WS Lee Myeung Su MS Lee Seung Won SW Choi Byoong Yong BY Hong Seung Jae SJ Baek Han Joo HJ
Journal of Korean medical science 20210503 17
<h4>Background</h4>There is increasing interest in the quality of health care and considerable efforts are being made to improve it. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a disease that can result in favorable outcomes when appropriate diagnosis and treatment are provided. However, several studies have shown that RA is often managed inappropriately. Therefore, the Korean College of Rheumatology aimed to develop quality indicators (QIs) to evaluate and improve the health care of patients with RA.<h4>Metho ...[more]