Performance Measures in Radiology

Performance measures in radiology play an increasingly significant role in health care quality assessment and now form the basis for a variety of pay-for-performance programs, including those administered by CMS. This article introduces the measure development process, beginning with topic selection, followed by measure development and testing, National Quality Forum endorsement, and implementation. Once implemented, measures may undergo further testing and be re-endorsed, modified, or retired. Radiologists should familiarize themselves with the measures relevant to their practice, develop ways to collect and report data efficiently, and implement the necessary practice changes to meet measure criteria and improve the quality of their practice.