Quality assurance and control

ABSTRACT

PR is a highly effective intervention comprising exercise therapy, disease education, behaviour change and psychological support. Recent guidelines have attempted to define PR, but the multicomponent character of the intervention means the precise content and delivery of PR is open to interpretation. Robust quality control (QC) and quality assurance (QA) processes measured against evidence-based quality standards or indicators can ensure that clinical care is provided to a high-quality standard. Providing transparent evidence of the quality of service to patients, referrers and health policy makers will assist the enhancement of referral rates and PR availability known to be poor in many countries and many healthcare settings. The presence of robust QC and QA will also permit the rapid development and evaluation of innovations in the delivery of PR services, such as have been required, for example, during the COVID-19 pandemic.Copyright © ERS 2021.