National Quality Forum

Measurement science and application: nqf sets standards for healthcare Quality measures based on evidence and innovation to make care better for all people. Healthcare Quality measures establish important standards of care and are key to enhancing healthcare value and safety. Nqf's portfolio of endorsed measures contains the most accurate and effective measures across a variety of clinical and cross-cutting topic areas. Public- and private-sector programs can use these measures for Quality improvement and payment knowing that the measures have met criteria of scientific acceptability, usability, and feasibility, and can accurately discern the Quality of provider performance. Additionally, nqf is working to determine and fill the highest priority measure gaps to identify and address data infrastructure needed for high-impact, low-burden measurement through accelerating development of next generation healthcare Quality measures that represent the outcomes that patients and clinicians say matter most. Approximately 450 nqf-endorsed measures are used in more than 20 federal public reporting and pay-for-performance programs as well as in private-sector and state programs. Nqf's endorsement process is the gold standard for healthcare Quality measurementa transparent, consensus-based practice (cdp) that brings together diverse healthcare stakeholders from the public and private sector. Our measure applications partnership (map) guides the u.s. department of health and human services on the selection of performance measures for federal pay-for-performance and Quality reporting programs that affect health coverage for about 120 million americans. The private sector also frequently adopts our recommendations. Map comprises more than 150 representatives from nearly 100 private-sector stakeholder organizations and seven federal agencies, ensuring that the federal government receives varied and thoughtful input on the selection and continued use of performance measures in Quality reporting and payment programs. Measure sets and measurement systems should provide accurate assessments of Quality and reliable results to drive performance improvement, appropriately influence payment, and empower patients and other users to make more informed healthcare decisions. Nqf is committed to measurement that drives meaningful improvement in the healthcare system.

Membership: the National Quality Forum is a membership organization that brings together diverse organizations and individuals from across the country dedicated to improving health and healthcare through Quality measurement. Comprised of more than 3,600 individuals who are part of over 300 member organizations, nqf members are an active community of patients, caregivers, hospitals, healthcare systems, clinicians, insurers, and employers who come together to advance the next generation of measures, methods, and practices and scale their implementation to achieve better healthcare outcomes for all.. nqf is the leading source of learning and knowledge for the Quality measurement community and provides resources, education, and ideas to advance the mission of driving measurable health improvement together. Nqf provides its members with the platform to share their time and expertise to provide input on issues of National importance and to learn from and collaborate with each other.

Emerging initiatives and program operations: nqf develops and advances Quality innovation strategies through collaboration with our members and other stakeholders. Nqf aims to expand the organization's impact on health improvements through a variety of partnerships and projects. Our emerging initiatives work impacts participating organizations, proposed legislation, and the measurement science and application landscape. Participating organizations often learn about leading practices and apply the insights they gain to programs and processes at their organizations to drive improvement in the field. This work is often shared with hill audiences, and staff are engaged to provide input into legislative language and events. This work connects to Quality measurement work to amplify nqf's impact in the healthcare ecosystem. Resources developed as part of past emerging initiatives and program operations work include playbooks and implementation guides that highlight best practices and lessons learned on a variety of topics and are designed to help stakeholders, including consumers, front-line clinicians and healthcare executives improve healthcare Quality measurement and implementation.