AHA to MAP: Focus on quality measures that optimize outcomes

The AHA today urged the Measure Applications Partnership to focus its 2017 recommendations for Medicare quality and pay-for-performance programs on measures that most optimize outcomes for patients and communities. While the MAP “is in the unique position to accelerate improvement by recommending a limited number of effective, reliable and care setting-appropriate measures,” its process “has yet to realize the promise of identifying ‘measures that matter,’” wrote Ashley Thompson, AHA senior vice president for public policy analysis and development. “As a result, the MAP considers and often supports an excessive number of measures unmoored to any priority areas and lacking evidence demonstrating that their use will enhance the quality of care.” The MAP will deliver its annual recommendations to the Department of Health and Human Services on Feb. 1.