Rheumatology clinical quality indicators
The clinical quality indicators for rheumatology are:
Connective tissue disorders
This is the clinical quality indicator for the proportion of patients seen within six weeks of referral to our specialist systemic sclerosis and connective tissue disease service.
Rationale
Our rheumatology service includes one of the UKs specialist centres for patients with systemic sclerosis and connective tissue disease.
We believe that a systematic approach to the management of these conditions is central to the reduction in mortality observed over the last decade.
Our objectives
We aim to see over 75% of patients within six weeks of a new referral (including both local and national referrals).
Current performance
Awaiting information.
Inflammatory arthritis
This is the clinical quality indicator for the proportion of urgent patient referrals with newly diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis treated with disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs within 3 months of persistent symptoms.
Rationale
Severe harm and death can arise from the inflammatory arthritidites as a result of widespread inflammatory processes which can affect most organ systems, directly or indirectly.
Modification of the inflammatory process using disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs and biological agents has become the primary goal of treatment.
Our objectives
We aim to treat over 75% of these patients with disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs within three months of persistent symptoms.
Current performance
Awaiting information.
Pulmonary hypertension
This is the clinical quality indicator for the proportion of patients with suspected pulmonary hypertension investigated in the one-stop clinic within four weeks of referral.
Our rationale
Our pulmonary hypertension service is commissioned by the National Commissioning Group (NCG). The service specification includes this standard.
Our objectives
We aim to assess all patients within four weeks and urgent referrrals within two weeks.
Current performance
Awaiting information.