National Quality Forum Endorses Four New Sets of Measures

On Friday, August 10, the National Quality Forum (NQF) endorsed new measures in four new domains of care: cancer, patient safety, care coordination, and disparities.

The 22 cancer care measures are focused on conditions such as leukemia, prostate cancer, and multiple myeloma, but also on issues that affect care delivery – including radiation dose limits, hospice readmissions, and care planning.

Two new patient safety measures that are focused on complications were endorsed. The measures address venous thromboembolism prophylaxis and current medication documentation in medical records.

The 12 measures of care coordination touch on such critical areas of concern as reconciling patients’ medications, establishing advance care plans, and the timely availability of medical records (to other caregivers and patients themselves) when patients are discharged from hospitals and other in-patient facilities.

The 12 disparities measures are focused on healthcare disparities and culturally competent care for racial and ethnic minority populations.

NBCH is in the process of developing member education and strategy related to measures. If you have feedback on how NBCH can meet your coalition's needs in this area, please contact Colleen Bruce.