NQMC Update Service: July 15, 2013

NQMC Update Service: July 15, 2013

July 15, 2013

New This Week

NQMC Update Service: July 15, 2013

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) sent this bulletin at 07/15/2013 12:00 PM EDT

July 15, 2013

New This Week

Measure Summaries

National Committee for Quality Assurance

• Appropriate testing for children with pharyngitis: percentage of children 2 to 18 years of age who were diagnosed with pharyngitis, dispensed an antibiotic, and received a group A streptococcus (strep) test for the episode. This updates a previously published measure summary.

• Appropriate treatment for children with upper respiratory infection (URI): percentage of children 3 months-18 years of age who were given a diagnosis of upper respiratory infection (URI) and were not dispensed an antibiotic prescription. This updates a previously published measure summary.

• Asthma medication ratio: percentage of members 5 to 64 years of age who were identified as having persistent asthma and had a ratio of controller medications to total asthma medications of 0.50 or greater during the measurement year.

• Avoidance of antibiotic treatment in adults with acute bronchitis: percentage of adults 18 to 64 years of age with a diagnosis of acute bronchitis who were not dispensed an antibiotic prescription. This updates a previously published measure summary.

• Medication management for people with asthma: percentage of members 5 to 64 years of age during the measurement year who were identified as having persistent asthma and who were dispensed an asthma controller medication that they remained on for at least 50% of their treatment period. This updates a previously published measure summary.

• Medication management for people with asthma: percentage of members 5 to 64 years of age during the measurement year who were identified as having persistent asthma and who were dispensed an asthma controller medication that they remained on for at least 75% of their treatment period. This updates a previously published measure summary.

• Pharmacotherapy management of COPD exacerbation: percentage of COPD exacerbations for members 40 years of age and older who had an acute inpatient discharge or ED encounter between January 1 and November 30 of the measurement year and who were dispensed a bronchodilator within 30 days of the event. This updates a previously published measure summary.

• Pharmacotherapy management of COPD exacerbation: percentage of COPD exacerbations for members 40 years of age and older who had an acute inpatient discharge or ED encounter on or between January 1 and November 30 of the measurement year and who were dispensed a systemic corticosteroid within 14 days of the event. This updates a previously published measure summary.

• Use of appropriate medications for people with asthma: percentage of members 5 to 64 years of age during the measurement year who were identified as having persistent asthma and who were appropriately prescribed medication during the measurement year. This updates a previously published measure summary.

• Use of spirometry testing in the assessment and diagnosis of COPD: percentage of members 40 years of age and older with a new diagnosis of COPD or newly active COPD, who received appropriate spirometry testing to confirm the diagnosis. This updates a previously published measure summary.