Diabetes: HbA1c Poor Control (NQF 0059)

EMeasure Name Diabetes: HbA1c Poor Control EMeasure Id e80e66e4-ab29-4d36-807d-b2be3c07c20e
Version number 1 Set Id 59f122eb-7764-498d-aace-4286e40bda8c
Available Date No information Measurement Period January 1, 20xx through December 31, 20xx
Measure Steward National Committee for Quality Assurance
Endorsed by National Quality Forum
Description The percentage of patients 18-75 years of age with diabetes (type 1 or type 2) who had HbA1c > 9.0%.
Copyright
©  National Committee for Quality Assurance. All Rights Reserved
Measure scoring Proportion
Measure type Process
Stratification
None
Risk Adjustment
None
Data Aggregation
Rationale
 This measure assesses the percentage of patients in a specific age demographic who were diagnosed with type 1 or type 2 diabetes and who demonstrate poor blood sugar control with an HbA1c level higher than 9 percent. Diabetes mellitus (diabetes) is a group of diseases characterized by high blood glucose levels caused by the body's inability to correctly produce or utilize the hormone insulin. It is recognized as a leading cause of death and disability in the U.S. and is highly underreported as a cause of death. Diabetes of either type may cause life-threatening, life-ending or life-altering complications, including poor blood sugar control. Studies have shown that improved glycemic control is correlated with a 40% decline in the development of associated microvascular complications (i.e., eye, kidney and nerve diseases) (ADA 2009). Clinical guidelines recommend regular HbA1c testing to facilitate patients ability to improve and sustain acceptable levels (ADA 2009). This measure facilitates the prevention and long-term management of high blood sugar levels for patients diagnosed with diabetes. 
Clinical Recommendation Statement
American Geriatric Society
                
[1]For frail older adults, persons with life expectancy of less than 5 years, and others in whom the risks of intensive glycemic control appear to outweigh the benefits, a less stringent target such as 8% is appropriate. (Level III, Grade B)

[2]For older persons, target hemoglobin A1C should be individualized. A reasonable goal for A1C in relatively healthy adults with good functional status is 7% or lower. (Level III, Grade B)

American Diabetes Association

[1]Lowering A1C to below or around 7% has been shown to reduce microvascular and neuropathic complications of type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Therefore, for microvascular disease prevention, the A1C goal for nonpregnant adults in general is < 7%. (A)
Improvement notation
Lower score indicates better quality
Measurement duration
12 month(s)
Reference
Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes - 2009. Diabetes Care January 2009 32:S6S12;doi:10.2337/dc09S006
Reference
Guidelines for Improving the Care of the Older Person with Diabetes Mellitus. California Healthcare Foundation/American Geriatrics Society Panel on Improving Care for Elders with Diabetes. American Geriatrics Society. May 2003Vol. 51, No. 5 Supplement. JAGS.
Definition
Guidance

Table of Contents


Population criteria

Data criteria (QDS Data Elements)

Summary Calculation

Calculation is generic to all measures:



Measure set CLINICAL QUALITY MEASURE SET 2011-2012