NQF panel weighs in on quality measures

The Measure Applications Partnership, a group of healthcare experts convened by the National Quality Forum to provide pre-rulemaking guidance to HHS, has released its second annual round of recommendations (PDF) on quality measures for use in federal health programs.

The MAP reviewed more than 500 measures currently under consideration by HHS for 20 federal programs, according to NQF. One hundred forty-one of those measures were green-lighted for immediate use. The MAP supported the direction of another 166 measures—including measures of early elective deliveries and shared decisionmaking for neurosurgery patients—pending more testing or NQF endorsement.

The group did not support 165 measures for HHS programs and it also recommended phased removal of 64 measures, such as one for coordination of care for melanoma patients.

“MAP's recommendations are meant to promote the selection of measures that will drive improvement for those providing care, transparency for those seeking care, and value for those paying for care,” said Elizabeth McGlynn, co-chair of the MAP Coordinating Committee, and director of the Kaiser Permanente Center for Effectiveness and Safety Research, in a news release.

Created in 2011, the Measure Applications Partnership is charged with providing input to HHS as part of the NQF's multi-year contract with the federal government. The MAP features representatives from both the private and public sectors, including Dr. Patrick Conway, the CMS' chief medical officer, and Suzanne Delbanco, executive director of San Francisco-based Catalyst for Payment Reform.