Do you want your institution to be recognized as a Center of Excellence in Rheumatoid Arthritis?

 

PANLAR, through the REAL-PANLAR group, has created a certification process for institutions that provide high-quality care in Rheumatoid Arthritis. This process aims to promote higher standards in disease management, strengthening patient safety, quality of care, and public health impact.

 

The REAL-PANLAR Project established the criteria to implement and accredit Centers of Excellence (CoE) in Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) in Latin America and the Caribbean, with the goal of ensuring high-quality care, improving patient safety, and optimizing clinical outcomes.

Three types of CoEs were defined, based on structure, process, and outcome indicators:
• Standard Center: Basic level ensuring minimum conditions for quality care.
• Optimal Center: Intermediate level incorporating more advanced processes of coordination, training, and education.
• Model Center: Advanced level integrating clinical outcome measurement, patient satisfaction, and research activities.

Each higher level must also comply with the requirements of the lower level.

Quality Standards for Each Type of CoE

Standard Centers
• At least one rheumatologist on the team.
• Additional support professional (nurse or other medical/paramedical staff).
• Access to laboratory for routine tests: rheumatoid factor, anti-CCP, ANA, ENA.
• Access to conventional radiology.
• Routine joint count.
• Functionality assessment (HAQ or other tool) recorded in the medical history.
• Disease activity assessment with standardized tools (DAS28, CDAI, SDAI, ACR20-50).
• Documented adherence to the Treat to Target (T2T) strategy.
• Evidence that patients are informed and participate in therapeutic decisions.
• Electronic medical records available for audits.

Optimal Centers
• At least two coordinated rheumatologists and care guaranteed by a third professional.
• Standardized medical records.
• Laboratory with synovial fluid analysis.
• Network access to radiology and imaging services.
• Continuing medical education program (in-person or virtual).
• Clinical meetings, workshops, and lectures for the healthcare team.
• Patient education program.

Model Centers
• At least three coordinated rheumatologists authorized according to national legislation.
• Multidisciplinary team including physiatrists, therapists, and psychologists in the center or network.
• Fully digitalized medical records.
• Implemented RA management and care process guidelines.
• Ultrasound service available at the center.
• Presentation or publication of at least two papers in national or international congresses per year.
• Reporting of patient satisfaction survey results.
• Adverse event reporting system.
• Mechanism to measure treatment adherence.
• Reporting of remission or low disease activity rates in the patient population.

Guidelines for Patient Management and Follow-up

All CoEs must ensure:
1. Use of clinimetry to measure disease activity and functionality.
2. Therapeutic decision-making based on these measurements.
3. Timely access to treatments and follow-up.
4. Continuous patient education.
5. Application of clinical guidelines.
6. Continuous care evaluation system.

Each center must comply with at least 80% of these criteria to be accredited, promoting a model of comprehensive care, continuous improvement, and patient-centered management.

 

Download here the key documents to start the process: