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Performance Measures

Find resources on the latest quality programs and ACR®-sponsored initiatives and submit your own concepts for measurement.

Performance measures serve as a mechanism to evaluate quality and cost-of-care performance. A vital component to drive improvements, they offer the ability to objectively assess how well and appropriately healthcare is delivered when compared to recognized standards.

ACR-Developed Measures

The ACR Measurement Strategy Group vets concepts, assigning high-priority measures to the ACR Metrics Committee development pipeline. Get involved as a participant or submit a new concept.

At ACR, we know great ideas often come out of hands-on experience. That’s why we’re seeking your input into developing quality measures.

You can submit your concepts for quality measures regardless of what stage they’re in, and have them reviewed by the ACR Measurement Strategy Group. Concepts meeting the criteria for high priority will be charged for development or refinement by the ACR Metrics Committee.

Measure concepts that have been developed or refined by the Metrics Committee are intended for use in the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) either through the ACR Qualified Clinical Data Registry (QCDR) or as a MIPS clinical quality measure (CQM). Both measure reporting pathways are directly linked to physician payment under CMS' MIPS regulations.

Measure concepts submitted for prioritization may address a variety of topics or include concepts for updating current MIPS measures.

  1. To start your process, navigate to the submission form.
  2. Complete the required evidence source form.
  3. A sample of a concept submission form for a measure that was submitted, approved and developed is available for your reference.

Your radiology practice can help us develop standardized measures to be used throughout the imaging field. Interested in testing new measures currently under development by ACR at your facility?

Submit a volunteer form

 

DXA: Improving Diagnosis of True Changes in Bone Mineral Density

This measure aims to improve the communication quality of dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) reports by encouraging assessment and reporting of measurement precision.

Evidence-Based Recommendations for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

These measures aim to ensure that evidence-based follow-up recommendations are made for abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) with a diameter of 2.5 cm or greater.

Closing the Recommendations Follow-Up on Actionable Incidental Findings

These measures intend to ensure the completion of evidence-based radiologist-recommended follow-up.

  • Early Adoption: Utilize these measures that support the development of a new follow-up workflow or improve an existing flow.
    • Support the measures’ potential use in accountability programs like the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). ACR must acquire data demonstrating that they may be successfully implemented into programs according to their specified measurement level (e.g., physician, group, facility, or system level).
    • Implement the nine available measures. However, all measures are not required to be used to serve as an early adoption site.

      **Participation awards are available on a first-come-first-served basis.

ACR Measures Undergoing Assessment and Refinement

ACR measures may be reported to the CMS Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) using the ACR MIPS Portal, externally licensed QCDRs, or other CMS-approved mechanisms. Periodic expert reviews assess whether the evidence supports the measure specifications. If updates are needed, the Metrics Committee may convene a technical expert panel to align measures with current evidence and radiology practice.

Use of Quantitative Criteria for Oncologic FDG PET Imaging (ACRad41)

This measure aims to include specific indicators important for making technical comparisons between radiology studies and from one center to another, thereby ensuring a more reliable diagnosis.

Diagnostic Imaging Measure Set: 2018

These diagnostic imaging quality measures were finalized in May 2018.

See the detailed measure list

Diagnostic Imaging Measure Set: 2017

These diagnostic imaging quality measures were finalized in June 2017.

See the detailed measure list

Performance Measurement Educational Videos

Access our library of recordings to guide you through the development process below.

ACR Measurement Glossary

This comprehensive guide gives you the terms and phrases used in developing quality measures for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) quality performance programs.

Download the glossary

For questions or more information

Contact us