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The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) recently signed an American Medical Association (AMA) letter that outlined several recommendations for the National Quality Forum (NQF) to consider when improving their measure endorsement process. ASA was one of 30 specialty societies seeking further clarity related to NQF standing committees and endorsement timelines.
AMA delivered the letter to Dr. Chris Cassel, Chief Executive Officer of NQF, on December 5, 2014, a few days before a scheduled meeting between NQF and several of the signatories. The letter offered six recommendations regarding measure endorsement, clarity on review criteria and future eMeasure development and testing. Although these issues have been quite common in recent months, the AMA letter sought a more formal approach for NQF to address these issues directly.
On Tuesday, December 9, Dr. Cassel met with specialty societies to discuss current and future goals of the NQF. She acknowledged the importance of the submitted letter and encouraged specialty societies to provide feedback to NQF on a real-time basis. Dr. Cassel noted NQF has been attempting to address several of these issues over the past year but will provide further comment and clarity in the near future.
At the meeting, Dr. Cassel reiterated the unique position of NQF as a bridge that spans both public and private stakeholders in an effort to endorse measures on a consensus basis. For reference, about 30% of NQF-endorsed measures are developed by specialty societies and 59% of NQF committee chairs are physicians. Among other projects, NQF also administers the Measure Applications Partnership (MAP), a multi-stakeholder arrangement that guides the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on the selection of performance measures for federal health programs.
For more information on ASA and the National Quality Forum (NQF), please contact the Department of Quality and Regulatory Affairs at [email protected] or 202-289-2222.
