Resources for State and Local Leaders 

Here is a handy list to help those who use NQF-endorsed measures easily access some of the key NQF tools and resources. As the number of State and community leaders involved in measurement and public reporting grows, NQF is committed to helping streamline and support those important efforts.

• Search and Compare NQF-Endorsed® Measures  
• Identify Opportunities for Alignment  
• Collaborate and Learn from Others  
• Get More Value from Electronic Data Sources  
• Communicate about Measurement and Public Reporting  
• Take Your Seat at the Table  
• Prepare for the Future
   

Search and Compare NQF-Endorsed® Measures (back to top)

• Find measures fast using NQF’s Quality Positioning System (QPS). Search by measure number, title, or keyword or browse by category, such as data source or care setting.
• Determine which measures are best suited for your efforts using the Measure Selection Criteria and the related user guide developed by the Measure Applications Partnership (MAP) for use in assessing measure sets used in federal payment and public reporting programs.
• Compare the NQF-endorsed measures in use by Aligning Forces for Quality (AF4Q) alliances in 16 regions by referencing the Community Tool to Align Measurement, which also lists when those measures are also part of certain federal programs.
   

Identify Opportunities for Alignment (back to top)

• See where to start or expand your measurement and public reporting in ways that align with other regions and with federal program requirements, using the Community Tool to Align Measurement.
• Search and compare ‘portfolios’ or lists of measures created in the Quality Positioning System (QPS) by groups at the local, state and national levels who use NQF-endorsed measures. Learn what others are doing and identify ways to align with national requirements.
• Track the measures likely to be used in federal reporting requirements and performance-based payment programs by following the work of the Measure Applications Partnership (MAP) to provide input to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
• To determine which measures are best suited for your efforts, use the same Measure Selection Criteria developed by the Measure Applications Partnership (MAP) to assess measure sets used in federal payment and public reporting programs.
• Assess similarities and differences in State reporting of adverse events to identify gaps and opportunities for improving safety in your region.
• Consider ways to measure and improve quality of care for people with multiple chronic conditions, to refine and align how your region approaches this important challenge.
   

Collaborate and Learn from Others (back to top)

• Create your own ‘portfolio’ or list of measures in the Quality Positioning System (QPS), then make it public for others to view and compare, send it to colleagues for collaboration, or keep it private.
• Discover which NQF-endorsed measures are being used by 16 AF4Q communities, along with practical insights about their experience (impact, success factors and barriers), via the Community Tool to Align Measurement.
• Listen and learn best practices through the Partnership for Patients – National Priorities Partnership Patient Safety Webinar Series. Past webinars are available for viewing. 
• Participate in NQF’s education programs to stay up-to-date with the continuously changing quality improvement landscape.
   

Get More Value from Electronic Data Sources (back to top)

• Use new electronic measures or “eMeasures” configured by NQF to pull from data in electronic health or medical records (EHRs or EMRs).
• Explore options for planning and implementing the use of eMeasures and other HIT issues by taking part in HIT educational webinars. 
• Learn about the web-based Measure Authoring Tool for measure developers to create eMeasures.
• Track NQF’s projects in Health Information Technology affecting measurement and data sources to stay up-to-date with the continuously changing HIT landscape.
   

Communicate about Measurement and Public Reporting (back to top)

• Use any of these materials in discussion at the local, state or national level
  • NQF-endorsed Serious Reportable Events (SREs) and related fact sheet 
  • Opportunities to Reduce Costs and Improve Quality: Compact Action Briefs 
  • ABC’s of Measurement and related webinar 
  • Search and Compare NQF-Endorsed Measures: A 2-page Overview of the Quality Positioning System and related Q&A 
  • Align Your Measurement Efforts: A 2-page Overview of the Community Tool to Align Measurement 
   

Take Your Seat at the Table (back to top)

• Help shape the future of healthcare measurement and quality improvement by joining NQF.  
• Get involved by checking out the Calendar of NQF Activities and opportunities for engagement in measure endorsement projects.
• Set reminders for when to get involved by tracking endorsement projects, nominations, comments or appeals, and upcoming NQF activities using My Dashboard.
   

Prepare for the Future (back to top)

• Track the work of the following NQF-related groups and projects that impact the future of health care quality improvement:
  • The Measure Applications Partnership (MAP) which provides input to HHS on measures for federal reporting and performance-based payment.
  • The National Priorities Partnership (NPP) which convenes organizations across the country to identify priorities and work together to improve health and health care.
  • Projects to assess and endorse measures and standards on a variety of topics including resource use, disparities, population health and much more. 
   

Have questions or ideas? 

Please contact Diane Stollenwerk, NQF Vice President for Community Alliances, at 202-783-1300. You may also email dstollenwerk@qualityforum.org or communities@qualityforum.org.