PQA endorses new performance measure

SPRINGFIELD, Va. — The membership of the Pharmacy Quality Alliance has endorsed a new performance measure, Statin Use in Persons with Diabetes, the group announced Friday. 

 

This measure evaluates the percentage of patients ages 40 years to 75 years who were dispensed a medication for diabetes and who also receive a statin medication. It is based on the 2013 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Guideline on the Treatment of Blood Cholesterol to Reduce Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Risk in Adults. PQA member organizations had the opportunity to submit written comments regarding the newly developed and tested performance measure, participate in a phone conference hosted by PQA staff to discuss the measure and address questions, and, finally, to vote electronically on its endorsement. PQA reported that 90% of member respondents voted to endorse the Statin Use in Persons with Diabetes measure.

 

The National Quality Forum board of directors also announced on November 14 that it endorsed eight measures related to Patient Safety conditions, two of which are PQA measures. Overall, the eight NQF-endorsed Patient Safety measures focus on healthcare associated infections, including an ad hoc measure on sepsis, medication safety and general patient safety. NQF evaluated a total of 17 measures against their endorsement criteria; four new measures, 12 maintenance measures and one ad hoc measure were reviewed by the Consensus Standards Approval Committee.  Additional information and a complete list of the 17 measures can be viewed on the NQF project page.