NQF evaluates use of performance measures
NQF evaluates use of performance measures
A RAND study released in December looked at the use of performance measures and the barriers to using them. Commissioned by the National Quality Forum, it evaluated how performance measures are currently being used in the field, by whom, and for what purpose; what made them more and less likely to be used; and how to get more people to use the measures in the future.
The independent evaluation was performed as part of a contract with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), key stakeholder in driving use of standardized performance measures and assessing if healthcare spending is achieving the best results for patients and taxpayers.
"This report is an important first step toward helping us gain a better, more systematic understanding of how NQF-endorsed measures are being used," says Janet Corrigan, PhD, MBA, CEO of NQF. "We are committed to examining where and how we can make the greatest impact in improving health and healthcare through priority setting, the increased use of performance measures, and meeting measurement gaps."
Over six months, RAND researchers interviewed people who use measures, such as community collaboratives, health plans, state and federal government agencies, and consumer groups. They then reviewed publicly available documents and materials from websites.
Nearly all instances of measure use included an NQF-endorsed measure, with only 1% of organizations studied not using any NQF-endorsed measures.
Factors behind use of measures
Organizations cited a number of internal and external factors driving their use of performance measures, such as legislative requirements related to quality-based payments and public reporting contained in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Others used the measures in response to local public health issues, such as obesity, or to help operationalize their individual missions. The ability of data to construct measures was the single-most important cited factor as either facilitating or impeding the use of measures.
Respondents noted that NQF-endorsement or widespread use of a measure enhanced provider buy-in. A number of areas where measure gaps exist were pointed out, as well as areas where new specialty measures would be useful. Interview participants also stressed the need for better alignment between measures used in the public and private sectors around national priorities.
The study is being used to push forward existing programs. The National Priorities Partnership (NPP) is establishing priorities and tracking alignment with the National Quality Strategy, and the Measure Applications Partnership (MAP) is assessing the use of "best available" measure sets for payment and public reporting programs. The measure endorsement process fills critical gaps and is looking to emphasize harmonization of measures to reduce provider burden and patient confusion.
Finally, NQF's new web-based tool, the Quality Positioning System (QPS), helps make NQF measures more accessible and, along with other community-oriented work such as the Community Tool to Align Measurement, has corroborated measure gap areas.
The full report, "An Evaluation of the Use of Performance Measures," is available online.
A RAND study released in December looked at the use of performance measures and the barriers to using them.Subscribe Now for Access
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