The Electronic Clinical Data Systems (ECDS) domain of the HEDIS® measurement set has been expanding since NCQA’s introduction of this novel reporting framework in 2015. The use of electronic clinical data for quality measurement facilitates connectivity between payors and providers to improve the efficiency of reporting and to make data available to care teams. For more background on the requirements for ECDS reporting, read our "HEDIS® MY2020 Data Management – Expanding Use of Electronic Clinical Data Systems" blog.
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Health disparities were among the many challenges brought to the forefront during the COVID-19 pandemic. Recognizing COVID’s impact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published a response outlining strategies to improve the health outcomes of populations disproportionately affected. However, disparities and health equity are not new issues. Mandated by Congress and supported by a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Interagency Work Group, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) has reported on progress and opportunities for improving healthcare quality and reducing healthcare disparities for the past 17 years. Their 2019 National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report encompasses reported patient care 2016-2018 and shows there are still disparities when comparing healthcare experience across races.
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In 2015, the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) initiated a multi-year process to transform Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS®) quality measurement, beginning with the specification of the first Electronic Clinical Data Systems (ECDS) measure. ECDS measures are a subset of measures that NCQA specifies in a digital measure format that represent a new reporting method leveraging clinical data available at the point of care.
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Each year, the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) takes measured steps to ensure that the Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS) provides meaningful, patient-centric measures to ensure accountability at all levels. These measures are harmonized to share definitions across programs. The Electronic Clinical Data Systems (ECDS) framework, introduced with HEDIS 2016, was designed to increase the efficiency of quality reporting, while also providing an incentive to connect to primary clinical information systems.
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In the final blog in this series, I want to touch on the evolution of using electronic clinical data in HEDIS measures. Data collection is one of the biggest challenges health plans face in preparation for HEDIS measures. The Electronic Clinical Data Systems (ECDS) framework was designed to increase the efficiency of quality reporting while also providing an incentive to connect to primary clinical information systems. Organizations that successfully report ECDS measures demonstrate interoperability of health data systems in the provision of high-quality care. NCQA’s commitment to the ECDS architecture was bolstered by the standards for interoperability finalized earlier this year.
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Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a serious disease that places a heavy burden on affected patients and the healthcare system. Consequently, there are two Pharmacotherapy management measures related to COPD exacerbation for HEDIS Measurement Year 2020 (MY 2020).1 COPD is a group of lung conditions that include emphysema, chronic bronchitis and sometimes asthma. Symptoms of COPD include shortness of breath, cough and sputum production. Exposure to tobacco smoke or air pollutants usually damages the lungs and leads to COPD. Often, COPD patients develop breathing difficulties that become severely worse, known as exacerbations. Serious exacerbations can lead to hospitalization, decreased lung function and possibly death.
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As discussed in our previous blog, the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) evaluates and adjusts quality measures each year as they continue development of a core set of meaningful measures for harmonization of performance measurement across the healthcare industry. However, this is the first time the organization has considered changing the timing for these measure deadlines.
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The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) HEDIS® set of quality measures is considered by many to be the gold standard when it comes to quality measurement. NCQA continues to pursue a strategy to find a core set of meaningful measures that will allow for the harmonization of performance measurement across the healthcare industry. As such, NCQA will retire a number of measures, streamline and modify existing measures, and add a small number of meaningful measures for HEDIS Measurement Year 2020 (HEDIS MY 2020). This is the first in a four-part blog series in which we’ll be discussing these changes and sharing tips on understanding and incorporating them into your HEDIS strategy.
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