NQF: Can you tell me about the CSAC and its role at NQF?

CP: The CSAC has a vital role in NQF’s measure endorsement process. It reviews recommendations of multistakeholder NQF standing committees, which are convened in topical areas to review submitted measures for endorsement.

NQF: You’re now chair of CSAC, and have long been involved with NQF on various committees. Why is this work important to you?

CP: I got involved as an NQF member shortly after I took on the role of CEO at the Action Group 15 years ago. As a result of the NQF work being done around the controversial “never events” measures at the time, Minnesota held a series of meetings with hospital CEOs and ultimately became the first state in the country to adopt an adverse events reporting requirement. It was a brave move, and I believe has resulted in higher quality care for all.

After being nominated and selected to serve on the CSAC, I realized I needed to better understand NQF’s Consensus Development Process (CDP) to be truly effective in the work of the CSAC. The best way to do that was to get involved in committee work, and I was glad to bring the healthcare purchaser perspective to the Cost and Resource Use Standing Committee. I’m passionate about working collaboratively with all stakeholders to build a high quality and efficient health system that provides affordable care for everyone. The groundbreaking and sometimes controversial work of this Committee is fascinating!

NQF: Can you tell us more about the upcoming changes to NQF’s measure endorsement and appeals process?

CP: The role of the CSAC will soon evolve. By 2017, the CSAC will make final decisions on whether NQF should endorse measures reviewed by NQF standing committees, without ratification by the NQF Board of Directors. Changes to the CDP also will improve the appeals process. Any appeals to CSAC decisions will be reviewed and decided by a newly created NQF Appeals Board, without a re-review by the CSAC. These improvements to NQF’s CDP are in response to input from stakeholder groups across the healthcare industry. The changes will make the measure endorsement process more efficient, prevent re-litigation of issues already considered by the standing committees and the CSAC, and reinforce the finality of decisions once appeals are adjudicated. NQF is in the process of implementing these changes and will share regular updates about the revised CDP in the months ahead.