Template of Measure Attributes

Complete Summary (Template of Measure Attributes)

The National Quality Measures Clearinghouse™ (NQMC), sponsored by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, includes the following attributes in a measure's Complete Summary. The table below provides descriptions of each attribute and also represents NQMC's Template of Measure Attributes. Attributes required to meet NQMC Inclusion Criteria are in bold-face type.

Measure Domain
Title	Identifies the title of the measure.
Source(s)	Identifies the complete bibliographic source(s) for the measure as disseminated by the measure submitter(s).
Primary Measure Domain	Classifies the major focus of the measure by one of the domains of care.	Choose one: Access Outcome Patient Experience Population Health Process Structure Use of Services
Secondary Measure Domain	Identifies the secondary focus of the measure by domain of care (if applicable). Does not apply to Use of Services and Population Health measures.	Choose all that apply: Access Outcome Patient Experience Process Structure
Brief Abstract
Description	Provides a concise statement of the specific aspects of health care, the patient population, providers, setting(s) of care, and time period that the measure addresses.
Rationale	Identifies the rationale that briefly explains the importance of the measure (i.e., why it is used).
Primary Clinical Component	Identifies the clinical aspect to which the measure refers, such as a structural feature, a clinical condition, a clinical process, a health outcome, and/or a patient characteristic. A combination of components may be identified (e.g., colorectal cancer; screening).
Denominator Description	Provides the general specifications of any clinical component that is the basis for inclusions and exclusions in the denominator.
Numerator Description	Provides the general specifications of any clinical component that is the basis for inclusions and exclusions in the numerator.
Evidence Supporting the Measure
Evidence Supporting the Criterion of Quality	Describes the type(s) of supporting evidence appropriate for the measure domain. For access measures, evidence that an association exists between the result of the access measure and the outcomes of, or satisfaction with, care. For outcome measures, evidence that the outcome measure has been used to detect the impact of one or more clinical interventions. For patient experience measures, evidence that an association exists between the measure of patient experience of health care and the values and preferences of individuals/the public. For process measures, evidence that the measured clinical process has led to improved health outcomes. For structure measures, evidence that an association exists between the structure measure and one of the four other domains of quality (e.g., access, outcome, patient experience, and process). Type of evidence includes published peer-reviewed studies, systematic reviews, clinical practice guidelines, formal consensus procedures involving experts in relevant clinical, methodological, and organizational sciences. For patient experience measures, evidence should include focus groups involving patients and/or cognitive testing of the measure by patients. For access and structure measures, the consensus panel should also include other relevant stakeholders. Does not apply to Population Health and Use of Services measures.	Choose all that apply: Unspecified A clinical practice guideline or other peer-reviewed synthesis of the clinical evidence A formal consensus procedure, involving experts in relevant clinical, methodological, and organizational sciences A systematic review of the clinical literature (e.g., Cochrane Review) Focus groups One or more research studies published in a National Library of Medicine (NLM) indexed, peer-reviewed journal
Evidence Supporting the Value of Monitoring the Aspect of Population Health	Describes the supporting evidence, if provided, for Population Health measures. Does not apply to Access, Outcome, Patient Experience, Process, Structure or Use of Services measures.	Choose all that apply: No evidence is provided A clinical practice guideline or other peer-reviewed synthesis of the clinical evidence A formal consensus procedure, involving experts in relevant clinical, methodological, and organizational sciences A systematic review of the clinical literature (e.g., Cochrane Review) One or more research studies published in a National Library of Medicine (NLM) indexed, peer-reviewed journal
Evidence Supporting the Value of Monitoring Use of Service	Describes the supporting evidence if provided for Use of Services measures. Does not apply to Access, Outcome, Patient Experience, Population Health, Process, or Structure measures.	Choose all that apply: No evidence is provided A clinical practice guideline or other peer-reviewed synthesis of the clinical evidence A formal consensus procedure, involving experts in relevant clinical, methodological, and organizational sciences A systematic review of the clinical literature (e.g., Cochrane Review) One or more research studies published in a National Library of Medicine (NLM) indexed, peer-reviewed journal
National Guideline Clearinghouse Link	Identifies link(s) to guideline summary(s) in the National Guideline Clearinghouse™ (NGC) where the measure was developed from an evidence-based guideline.
Evidence Supporting Need for the Measure
Need for the Measure	Describes the type(s) of evidence that supports the need for the measure (i.e., why this measure was selected by the submitter).	Choose all that apply: Unspecified Overall poor quality for the performance measured Use of this measure to improve performance Variation in quality for the performance measured
	For Structure measures	Choose all that apply: Unspecified Overall insufficient capacity Use of this measure to increase capacity Variation in capacity
	For Use of Services measures	Choose all that apply: Unspecified Monitoring and planning Variation in use of service
	For Population Health measures	Choose all that apply: Unspecified Monitoring health state(s) Variation in health state(s)
Evidence Supporting Need for the Measure	Identifies references that support the assertions made regarding the need for the measure.
State of Use of the Measure
State of Use	Identifies the status of the measure regarding its use within the past three years by health care organizations. Measure use can encompass current routine use, pilot testing, or still in use by organizations/entities although discontinued by the measure developer.	Choose one: Unspecified Current routine use Pilot testing Used, but developer discontinued
Current Use	Classifies the current use(s) of the measure by quality initiative and constituency (e.g., Internal quality improvement, Decision-making by consumers about health plan/provider choice). The values "Internal quality improvement," "Collaborative inter-organizational quality improvement," "Quality of care research," "Decision-making by businesses about health-plan purchasing," "Decision-making by consumers about health plan/provider choice," and "Decision-making by health plans about provider contracting" may not be selected for Use of Services and Population Health measures.	Choose all that apply: Unspecified Accreditation Collaborative inter-organizational quality improvement Decision-making by businesses about health-plan purchasing Decision-making by consumers about health plan/provider choice Decision-making by health plans about provider contracting Decision-making by managers about resource allocation External oversight/Department of Defense/TRICARE External oversight/Indian Health Service External oversight/Maternal and Child Health Bureau External oversight/Medicaid External oversight/Medicare External oversight/Prison health care systems External oversight/Regional, county, or city agencies External oversight/State government program External oversight/Veterans Health Administration Federal health policymaking Internal quality improvement Monitoring and planning Monitoring health state(s) National reporting Pay-for-performance Quality of care research State health policymaking
Application of the Measure in its Current Use
Care Setting	Classifies the settings for which the measure applies.	Choose all that apply: Unspecified Ambulatory Care Ancillary Services Behavioral Health Care Community Health Care Emergency Medical Services Home Care Hospices Hospitals Long-term Care Facilities Managed Care Plans Physician Group Practices/Clinics Rehabilitation Centers Residential Care Facilities Rural Health Care Substance Use Treatment Programs/Centers
Professionals Responsible for Health Care	Classifies the professional(s) who is/are responsible for health care. For all area health indicators, the value "Public Health Professionals" must be selected.	Choose all that apply: Unspecified Advanced Practice Nurses Allied Health Personnel Chiropractors Clinical Laboratory Personnel Dentists Dietitians Emergency Medical Technicians/Paramedics Measure is not provider specific Nurses Occupational Therapists Pharmacists Physical Therapists Physician Assistants Physicians Podiatrists Psychologists/Non-physician behavioral Health Clinicians Public Health Professionals Respiratory Care Practitioners Social Workers Speech-language Pathologists
Lowest Level of Health Care Delivery Addressed	Classifies the most discrete level of health care delivery to which the measure (in its current use) applies.	Choose one: Unspecified National Regional States Counties or Cities Metropolitan Statistical Areas/Health Services Areas Multisite Health Care Organizations Single Health Care Delivery Organizations Group Clinical Practices Individual Clinicians
Target Population Age	Describes the age range for the population measured. Does not apply to Structure measures.
Target Population Gender	Classifies the target population by gender. Does not apply to Structure measures.
Stratification by Vulnerable Populations	Describes the populations vulnerable to health care quality problems that are separately identified for sampling (e.g., Children, Homeless, Medically Uninsured). Does not apply to Structure measures.
Characteristics of the Primary Clinical Component
Incidence/Prevalence	Describes the occurrence in a population of the disease or condition or the structural feature associated with the primary clinical component.
Evidence for Incidence/Prevalence	Identifies references documenting information provided in the Incidence/Prevalence field.
Association with Vulnerable Populations	Describes the association of the primary clinical component within a population vulnerable to health care quality problems.
Evidence for Association with Vulnerable Populations	Identifies references documenting information provided in the Association with Vulnerable Populations field.
Burden of Illness	Describes the time course and amount of disability associated with the primary clinical component.
Evidence for Burden of Illness	Identifies references documenting information provided in the Burden of Illness field.
Utilization	Describes the utilization of resources due to the primary clinical component that may include hospital days, admissions/discharges, ambulatory care visits, tests, and procedures.
Evidence for Utilization	Identifies references documenting information provided in the Utilization field.
Costs	Describes the costs associated with the primary clinical component that may include per diem costs, or the cost of ambulatory care visits, tests, and procedures. In cases where costs for these items are not known, but charges are used as a proxy for cost.
Evidence for Costs	Identifies references documenting information provided in the Costs field.
Institute of Medicine National Health Care Quality Report Categories
IOM Care Need	Classifies the measure into one of four Institute of Medicine (IOM) care need classifications where applicable. Structure and Use of Services measures will always have the value "Not within an IOM Care Need."	Choose all that apply to the primary clinical component: Unspecified Not within an IOM Care Need End of Life Care Getting Better Living with Illness Staying Healthy
IOM Domain	Classifies the measure into one or more of the Institute of Medicine (IOM) care domains where applicable. Structure and Use of Services measures will always have the value "Not within an IOM Domain." The IOM Domain "Efficiency" can only be selected in conjunction with one of the other IOM Domains.	Choose all that apply: Unspecified Not within an IOM Domain Effectiveness Efficiency Equity Patient-centeredness Safety Timeliness
Data Collection for the Measure
Case Finding	Characterizes patients eligible for inclusion in the measure as users and/or nonusers of care. Does not apply to Structure measures.	Choose one: Unspecified Does not apply to this measure Both users and nonusers of care Users of care only
Description of Case Finding	Describes the procedure for determining whether a case is potentially eligible for inclusion in the denominator of a measure. Case finding establishes a sampling frame from which a more highly specified selection of cases will be made. Does not apply to Structure measures.
Denominator Sampling Frame	Classifies the cases potentially eligible for inclusion in the denominator, from which a more highly specified selection of cases will be made. Does not apply to Structure measures.	Choose one: Unspecified Does not apply to this measure Enrollees or beneficiaries Geographically defined Organizationally defined Patients associated with provider
Denominator Inclusions/Exclusions	Describes the specific inclusion and exclusion criteria used to refine the denominator.
Relationship of Denominator to Numerator	Designates whether all cases in the denominator are equally eligible to appear in the numerator. Does not apply to Structure measures. Only the value "All cases in the denominator are not equally eligible to appear in the numerator" can be selected for Population Health measures. The value "Unspecified" cannot be selected for Access, Outcome, Patient Experience, Process, or Structure measures.	Choose one: Unspecified Does not apply to this measure All cases in the denominator are equally eligible to appear in the numerator All cases in the denominator are not equally eligible to appear in the numerator
Denominator (Index) Event	Identifies the event or state that defines a patient as eligible for inclusion in the denominator. Does not apply to Structure measures.	Choose all that apply: Unspecified Does not apply to this measure Clinical Condition Diagnostic Evaluation Encounter Institutionalization Patient Characteristic Provider Characteristic Therapeutic Intervention
Denominator Time Window	Classifies the time period (in association with the denominator [index] event) in which patients are reviewed for inclusion in the denominator. Does not apply to Structure measures.	Choose one: Unspecified Does not apply to this measure Time window brackets index event Time window follows index event Time window is a fixed period of time Time window is a single point in time Time window precedes index event
Numerator Inclusions/Exclusions	Describes the specific inclusion and exclusion criteria used to refine the numerator. This field will be used to further describe the metric (if necessary).
Measure Results Under Control of Health Care Professionals, Organizations and/or Policymakers	Designates whether measure results are somewhat or substantially under the control of the health care professionals, organizations and policymakers to whom the measure applies. The value "Unspecified" cannot be selected for Access, Outcome, Patient Experience, Process, or Structure measures.	Choose one: Unspecified The measure results are somewhat or substantially under the control of the health care professionals, organizations and/or policymakers to whom the measure applies. The measure results are not under the control of the health care professionals, organizations and/or policymakers to whom the measure applies.
Numerator Time Window	Identifies the time period in which patients are reviewed for inclusion in the numerator.	Choose one: Unspecified Does not apply to this measure Encounter or point in time Episode of care Fixed time period Institutionalization
Data Source	Identifies the data source(s) necessary to implement the measure.	Choose all that apply: Unspecified Administrative and laboratory data Administrative and medical records data Administrative and pharmacy data Administrative and provider data Administrative data Administrative data and clinician survey Administrative data and patient survey Clinician survey Laboratory data Medical record National public health data Patient survey Pharmacy data Provider data Registry data Special or unique data State public health data
Data Source	For Structure measures, the following are possible data sources:	Administrative data Clinician survey National public health data Provider data Special or unique data State public health data
Level of Determination of Quality	Identifies the level at which quality can be assessed, i.e., at the individual patient level or the aggregate patient level. Does not apply to Structure, Population Health, and Use of Services measures.	Choose one: Does not apply to this measure Individual Case Not Individual Case
Outcome Type	Classifies the type of outcome for Outcome measures. Applies only when "Outcome" is selected as a Primary or Secondary Measure Domain.	Choose one: Unspecified Does not apply to this measure Adverse Outcome Clinical Outcome Functional Status Health Risk State or Behavior Proxy for Outcome Quality of Life Measure
Type of Health State	Classifies the type of health state for Population Health measures. Applies only to Population Health measures.	Choose one: Unspecified Does not apply to this measure Adverse Health State Functional Status Health Risk State or Behavior Health State not otherwise specified
Pre-existing Instrument Used	Identifies all pre-existing instruments, such as a standardized survey instrument, used in implementing the measure.
Computation of the Measure
Scoring	Identifies the method used to score the measure.	Choose one: Unspecified Categorical Variable Continuous Variable Count Frequency Distribution Non-weighted Score/Composite/Scale Rate Ratio Weighted Score/Composite/Scale
Interpretation of Score	Classifies interpretation of score according to whether better quality is associated with a higher score, a lower score, a score falling within a defined interval, or a passing score. Applies to Process, Outcome, Access, Experience, and Structure measures.	Choose one: Better quality is associated with a higher score Better quality is associated with a lower score Better quality is associated with a score falling within a defined interval Passing score defines better quality
	Applies to Population Health measures.	Choose one: Unspecified A higher score is desirable A lower score is desirable A score falling within a defined interval is desirable
	Applies to all Use of Services measures.	Undetermined
Allowance for Patient Factors	Identifies the type of analytic considerations made for the measure based on patient factors or characteristics. Does not apply to Structure measures.	Choose all that apply: Unspecified Does not apply to this measure Analysis by high-risk subgroup (stratification on vulnerable populations) Analysis by subgroup (stratification on patient factors, geographic factors, etc.) Case-mix adjustment Paired data at patient level Risk adjustment devised specifically for this measure/condition Risk adjustment method widely or commercially available
Description of Allowance for Patient Factors	Describes the analytic considerations made for the measure based on the patient factors and characteristics. This field will not display if either "Unspecified" or "Does not apply to this measure" is selected in the "Allowance for Patient Factors" field.
Standard of Comparison	Classifies the type and time frame of the comparison according to whether the comparison is external (at a given point-in-time or of a time trend), internal or to a prescriptive standard. The specific nature of the "prescriptive standard" (e.g., "pass/fail") will be described in the corresponding text field.	Choose all that apply: Unspecified Does not apply to this measure External comparison at a point in time External comparison of time trends Internal time comparison Prescriptive standard
Prescriptive Standard	Describes the prescriptive standard(s) used for comparison of measure results.
Evidence for Prescriptive Standard	Identifies references documenting information provided in the Prescriptive Standard field. Does not apply to Use of Services and Population Health measures.
Evaluation of Measure Properties
Extent of Measure Testing	Describes the extent of testing of the measure including reliability and/or validity testing.
Evidence for Reliability/Validity Testing	Identifies references documenting reliability/validity testing as described in the Extent of Measure Testing field.
Identifying Information
Original Title	Identifies the original name of the measure as stated in the original measure documentation.
Measure Collection	Identifies the name of the collection of measures to which the measure belongs (if applicable).
Measure Set Name	Identifies the name of the measure set to which the measure belongs (if applicable).
Measure Subset Name	Identifies the name of the subset to which the measure belongs (if applicable).
Composite Measure Name	Identifies the name of the composite measure to which the measure belongs (if applicable).
Submitter	Identifies the organization(s) that submitted the measure to NQMC.
Developer	Identifies the organization(s) that developed the measure.
Endorser	Identifies the organization(s) that have endorsed the measure.
Included In	Identifies the inclusion of a measure in specified measure initiatives (e.g., National Healthcare Quality Report (NHQR), National Healthcare Disparities Report (NHDR), Home Health Compare).
Adaptation	Identifies that the measure has been adapted *from* another measure(s).
Parent Measure	Identifies the name(s) of all the measures from which the current measure was adapted. The name of each "parent" measure's developer follows in parentheses.
Release Date	Identifies the date that the measure was first released by the submitting organization (this could be the date first issued or published).
Revision Date	Identifies the date of the most recent revision to the measure and/or the documentation by the submitting organization (if applicable).
Measure Status	Identifies whether the measure is the current release or an update.
Source(s)	Identifies the complete bibliographic source(s) for the measure as disseminated by the measure submitter(s).
Measure Availability	Identifies contact information for requesting the measure documentation. Where possible, information regarding electronic (including hypertext links to the full-text) and print copies is provided.
Companion Documents	Identifies companion documents that are relevant to the measure. These companion documents are not necessarily available within NQMC.
NQMC Status	Identifies when the measure was completed or revised by ECRI, and verified by the submitting organization(s).
Copyright Statement	Provides the copyright statement of the organization that submitted the measure.

Complete Summary (Template of Measure Attributes)

Search

Submit Measures

Browse

Compare