INPUTS (PRESS RELEASES, TRADE JOURNALS)
https://www.hrsonline.org/guidance/advocacy-in-action/cms-announces-new-consensus-based-entity
https://www.healthcaredive.com/news/joint-commission-and-NQF-merge/691154/
GPT4 OUTPUT
https://chat.openai.com/share/6ce107d2-989e-4eca-a147-d127a32b69d7
Shift in Healthcare Performance Measurement Landscape:
Key Developments and Implications
Overview: Recent policy changes signal a fundamental shift in how healthcare quality and performance measures are assessed, endorsed, and implemented. This article aims to consolidate the latest information surrounding this evolution.
Battelle’s New Role in Healthcare Measurement:
Federal Contract Award: Battelle, a global research and development organization, has been awarded a federal contract to lead the "Partnership for Quality Measurement (PQM)," succeeding the National Quality Forum (NQF) as the consensus-based entity for healthcare performance measurement.
Mission: In collaboration with partners like the Institute for Healthcare Improvement and Rainmakers Strategic Solutions, Battelle aims to advance the healthcare system by improving stakeholder engagement and streamlining the healthcare performance measurement process.
Expected Deliverables: Battelle will aid CMS in defining healthcare measurement priorities, endorsing evidence-based measures, fostering consensus among stakeholders, and submitting an annual report detailing the program's progress to Congress.
National Quality Forum’s (NQF) Perspective:
A Storied Legacy: For over two decades, the NQF has played a pivotal role in the healthcare sector by fostering consensus across various stakeholders to measure healthcare quality.
Reaction to CMS’s Decision: The board members of NQF expressed their concerns over CMS's decision to entrust a different organization with endorsing federal programs, emphasizing NQF's unparalleled expertise in the arena.
Future Focus: Despite the recent changes, the NQF commits to continue championing its vision for quality improvement in healthcare.
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The budget of NQF has been around $20M and the CEO salary around $600K. Budgets were actually higher ($25M) circa 2011-2012.
https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/522175544
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Details on the New Partnership for Quality Measurement (PQM):
Function: The PQM will inherit functions previously performed by the NQF, which includes endorsing and maintaining healthcare performance measures for CMS.
Enhancements: Under Battelle, the PQM aims to make the measure review and endorsement process more transparent, comprehensive, and inclusive of diverse stakeholder input. Notably, participation in PQM processes will be free, making it more accessible to the public and organizations alike.
The Joint Commission Acquires NQF:
Merger Details: The Joint Commission, the nation's premier independent hospital accreditation organization, has announced its acquisition of the NQF, which will now function as an affiliate member.
Implications: This merger is set to make the accreditation and certification processes of The Joint Commission more data-driven and outcome-oriented, focusing on fewer, more precise quality measures.
Industry Response: Initial reactions from the healthcare industry seem positive, with the merger expected to offer a clearer and more consistent understanding of healthcare excellence metrics.
Conclusion: The recent changes in the landscape of healthcare performance measurement are reflective of an ongoing effort to optimize, refine, and make quality measurement processes more inclusive and effective. These shifts, coupled with collaborative endeavors, promise a renewed focus on delivering high-quality care to patients across the nation.
Can we infer any clues as to way NQF lost the bid for more work, and Battelle won the bid and takes over the work? What was CMS (the government health agency) thinking?
ChatGPT
From the provided press releases and news stories, we can derive several potential reasons or clues as to why the CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) might have decided to transition from NQF (National Quality Forum) to Battelle:
Streamlining and Transparency: One of the key focus areas for Battelle, as highlighted in their announcement, is to provide a "transparent and accessible measure review process." The emphasis on transparency might suggest that CMS is keen on making the process more open and comprehensible to all stakeholders involved.
Inclusivity and Cost: A notable point is the mention that the Partnership for Quality Measurement (PQM) under Battelle "will not charge membership dues and will allow individual members of the public, as well as organizations, to participate in its processes for free." This move toward inclusivity and reduction in barriers for engagement could have been an attractive proposition for CMS, suggesting a democratizing of the process.
Previous Track Record with Battelle: Battelle is described as a "long-time CMS contractor that assists with federal quality programs." This established working relationship might have played a role, with CMS potentially having confidence in Battelle's ability to deliver based on prior collaborations.
Integrated Stakeholder Engagement: Battelle's commitment to working closely with "clinicians, patients and families, and healthcare facilities" to evaluate evidence and engage stakeholders could be perceived as a more integrated approach to stakeholder engagement.
Consensus Development and Setting Priorities: Battelle's new role will involve "setting priorities for healthcare measurement, endorse evidence-based measures, and build consensus among stakeholders." It seems CMS is looking for a refreshed approach to consensus development, possibly to ensure that national priorities align more closely with evolving healthcare needs.
Feedback from the NQF: The reaction from the NQF’s Board of Directors hinted at their surprise and disappointment, suggesting that this decision might not have been expected, at least from NQF's perspective. Their emphasis on NQF being a "trusted convener" hints at a potential concern that the replacement might not be able to easily replicate the rapport and consensus-building that NQF had achieved over the years.
External Pressures and Evolving Requirements: The Joint Commission's move to acquire NQF and its efforts to "revamp the accreditation process" suggests an industry-wide momentum towards reforming and streamlining quality measures. CMS's decision might align with this broader trend in the healthcare ecosystem.
In conclusion, while the exact reasons for CMS's decision are not explicitly spelled out in the provided content, the combination of a push for greater transparency, inclusivity, a prior working relationship with Battelle, and broader industry trends might have influenced their choice.
There was quite a battle going on with stakeholders vs NQF during the months the contract was reviewed and lost (presume summer 2022 to February 2023). This was over a rapid Summer 2022 endorsement of the Sepsis measure SEP1, causing some unhappy medical association stakeholders to lodge formal complaints and demand formal process reviews of the NQF.
This had never happened before. While the NQF found "no wrongdoing" the NQF was clearly unnerved by the strongly worded, and public, challenge against its process integrity.
ChatGPT
Given the additional context you've provided, the tension and dissatisfaction among stakeholders concerning NQF's rapid endorsement of the Sepsis measure SEP1 can potentially shed light on the reasons behind the shift in contract from NQF to Battelle:
Stakeholder Dissatisfaction: Formal complaints and demands for process reviews, especially concerning something as significant as a Sepsis measure, signify deep-seated concerns and dissatisfaction among key stakeholders. Even if NQF found "no wrongdoing" on its part, the mere presence of such strongly worded challenges can erode trust and confidence in the institution.
Perceived Process Integrity Issues: Even if the NQF cleared itself of any perceived integrity issues, the shadow of doubt, once cast, can linger. CMS, being a government entity, might want to ensure maximum trust and transparency in its processes, especially in sensitive areas like healthcare performance measurement. The challenges against NQF's process integrity, even if they were later dismissed, could have been a significant factor in CMS's decision to opt for a change.
Risk Management: CMS, considering the broader picture and potential future conflicts, might have seen a change in the contract as a risk management strategy. By moving to a different organization like Battelle, they might be aiming to preempt future conflicts and ensure smoother operations.
Desire for Fresh Perspective: Given the mentioned issues, CMS might be seeking a fresh start or a new approach to healthcare performance measurement. Battelle, with its promises of increased transparency and stakeholder engagement, could represent this new direction for CMS.
Reputation Management: For government agencies, maintaining public trust is paramount. By making a change in the face of challenges and dissatisfaction, even if they were addressed, CMS might be signaling its commitment to addressing stakeholder concerns and ensuring the highest standards in its operations.
Evolution in Requirements: The challenges against NQF might have also prompted introspection within CMS about its own requirements and priorities. As healthcare challenges evolve, especially in the post-pandemic world, CMS might be looking for partners that can quickly adapt, engage various stakeholders effectively, and ensure the utmost integrity in all processes.
There may be a possibility that the controversies surrounding NQF's endorsement process and the strong subsequent reactions from key healthcare stakeholders might have played a role in CMS's decision to transition the contract to Battelle.
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