Measuring process of arthritis care: a proposed set of quality measures for the process of care in juvenile idiopathic arthritis.
OBJECTIVE
The ability to assess quality of care is a necessary component of continuous quality improvement. The assessment typically is accomplished by determination of compliance with a defined set of quality measures (QMs). The objective of this effort was to establish a set of QMs for the assessment of the process of care in juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA).


METHODS
A 12-member working group composed of representatives from the American College of Rheumatology, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Board of Pediatrics, and Association of Rheumatology Health Professionals was assembled to guide the project. Delphi questionnaires were sent to 237 health professionals involved in the care of children with JIA. A total of 471 items in 23 domains were identified. The working group met via 4 live e-meetings during which results from the Delphi questionnaires were distilled to a reduced draft set. Each working group member selected a proposed QM to investigate and present evidence from the literature as to its attributes and appropriateness for inclusion into the set. Nominal group technique was used to come to consensus on a proposed set of QMs.


RESULTS
The proposed set contains 12 QMs within 4 health care domains. Each QM consists of a statement of 1) the assessment to be completed, 2) when the first assessment should be completed and a suggested frequency of assessment during followup, 3) recommendations of appropriate tools or methods of assessment, and 4) initial performance goals.


CONCLUSIONS
Implementation of the proposed QM set will improve the process of care, facilitate continuous quality improvement, and eventuate in improved health outcomes of children with JIA.
Lovell
Daniel J
DJ
Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229, USA. daniel.lovell@cchmc.org
Passo
Murray H
MH
Beukelman
Timothy
T
Bowyer
Suzanne L
SL
Gottlieb
Beth S
BS
Henrickson
Michael
M
Ilowite
Norman T
NT
Kimura
Yukiko
Y
DeWitt
Esi Morgan
EM
Segerman
Jill
J
Stein
Leonard D
LD
Taylor
Janalee
J
Vehe
Richard K
RK
Giannini
Edward H
EH
D001168:Arthritis / Q000628:therapy; D001171:Arthritis, Juvenile / Q000628:therapy*; D002648:Child; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000592:standards* / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D011787:Quality of Health Care / Q000592:standards* / Q000639:trends; D012955:Societies, Medical / Q000592:standards*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires / Q000592:standards*