The ACR Appropriateness Criteria are evidence-based guidelines that assist referring physicians and other providers in making the most appropriate imaging or treatment decision for a specific clinical condition. The ACR AC includes 178 diagnostic imaging and interventional radiology topics with 912 clinical variants and over 1,550 clinical scenarios. ACR AC are available to all physicians via ACR Select, a module contained within . In creating the ACR AC, the ACR Task Force on Appropriateness Criteria incorporated attributes for developing acceptable medical practice guidelines used by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, as designed by the Institute of Medicine.
Data registries
The ACR National Radiology Data Registry develops benchmarks and comparisons to help imaging facilities improve quality of patient care with its collection of registries related to a range of radiological procedures. The registries include:
NRDR was approved as a Qualified Clinical Data Registry for 2018 MIPS Reporting.
Specialized medical education
ACR Education Center – located in Reston, VA, offers specialized mini-fellowships in more than a dozen clinical areas.
American Institute for Radiologic Pathology – The AIRP conducts five courses for radiology residents and fellows, and seven categorical courses for practicing radiologists and other physicians each year in Silver Spring, MD.
Radiology Leadership Institute – The RLI offers leadership and business management training specifically for radiologists.
ACR Bulletin – a monthly publication covering topics on radiology.
Collaborations
The ACR provides patient information through the website Radiologyinfo.org, co-produced by the Radiological Society of North America, to help patients understand how various radiology procedures and radiation therapy are performed.
Imaging 3.0
ACR's Imaging 3.0 initiative is a roadmap to transition the practice of radiology from volume-based to value-based care. Four main focus areas of Imaging 3.0 include;
Integrated service environment – Integrating radiologists in the patient care continuum i.
New healthcare organizations – Participate in the design, maintenance, and management of these new health care organizations, such as PCMHs, ACOs, and those yet to be formed.
Patient-focused care – Ensure patients understand their options regarding medical imaging, offer radiology reports in terms, and provide basic education on imaging exams and preparation for them.
A network of tools and services – Expert advice from leading radiology, technology, and business consultants.
