NICE quality standards for early inflammatory arthritis6
| Number | Quality standards |
| 1 | People with suspected persistent synovitis affecting the small joints of the hands or feet, or more than one joint, are referred to a rheumatology service within 3 working days of presentation. |
| 2 | People with suspected persistent synovitis are assessed in a rheumatology service within 3 weeks of referral. |
| 3 | People with newly diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis are offered short-term glucocorticoids and a combination of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs by a rheumatology service within 6 weeks of referral. |
| 4 | People with rheumatoid arthritis are offered educational and self-management activities within 1 month of diagnosis. |
| 5 | People who have active rheumatoid arthritis are offered monthly treatment escalation until the disease is controlled to an agreed low disease activity target. |
| 6 | People with rheumatoid arthritis and disease flares or possible drug-related side effects receive advice within 1 working day of contacting the rheumatology service. |
| 7 | People with rheumatoid arthritis have a comprehensive annual review that is coordinated by the rheumatology service. |
Guidance was updated in 2020 resulting in some changes to these quality standards.
NICE, National Institute for Health and Care Excellence.