"To improve patient outcomes, we must accurately measure, reliably compare and constantly improve the quality of care we deliver," write ACC President Athena Poppas, MD, FACC, and NCDR Oversight Committee Chair Frederick A. Masoudi, MD, MSPH, FACC, in a JACC Leadership Page highlighting the ways ACC's NCDR registries are consistently delivering on this aspirational goal.

In addition to helping hospitals, practices and institutions improve the care provided to patients, Masoudi and Poppas underscore the value inherent in registry-derived research, as well as the integration of education and quality improvement activities into the registry experience.

They also offer a glimpse at the future of the NCDR, and a focus going forward on four objectives: 1) reducing the burden of data collection while exploring additional sources of data; 2) enhancing NCDR value to stakeholders; 3) promoting local, regional, national and international quality improvement; and 4) supporting population health management through advocacy and generalizable information. Read more.