Published: June 27, 2017

AAO-HNSF spearheads measures development

As otolaryngologists, we must take the lead in defining the meaning of “quality care” for the specialty. The development of evidence-based products by otolaryngologists for otolaryngologists is needed to meet the demands of government and private payers, accrediting bodies, and in partnership with the American Board of Otolaryngology (ABOto), to meet the requirements for maintenance of certification.

Aao DevelopAs otolaryngologists, we must take the lead in defining the meaning of “quality care” for the specialty. The development of evidence-based products by otolaryngologists for otolaryngologists is needed to meet the demands of government and private payers, accrediting bodies, and in partnership with the American Board of Otolaryngology (ABOto), to meet the requirements for maintenance of certification. As a specialty, it is crucial to engage in the creation and implementation of clinically valid performance measures rather than having them imposed on us by external entities. The Academy’s goal is to develop quality measures that can apply to every practicing head and neck surgeon as quickly and efficiently as possible.

With this goal in mind, the Reg-ent℠ Executive Committee established seven Clinical Advisory Committees (CACs) to work with staff to prioritize important topics for measures development within our specialty. The Reg-ent clinical data registry offers numerous quality measures for internal quality monitoring and 2017 MIPS reporting, including both process (documentation on key processes and procedures during the patient’s care) and outcome (documentation on the outcomes of the patient’s care) measures. Quality measures offered in Reg-ent include measures developed and stewarded by both AAO-HNSF and external sources applicable to the field of otolaryngology. In 2017, Reg-ent participants will be able to monitor and report on measures assessing care in the following clinical areas:

  • Acute otitis externa
  • Adult sinusitis
  • Asthma
  • Falls
  • Opioid therapy
  • Perioperative care and screening
  • Preventive care and screening
  • Sleep apnea
  • Surgery

For a complete list of Reg-ent measures, please visit www.entnet.org/content/reg-ent-measures. The top Reg-ent measures reported for 2016 PQRS reporting are listed in the accompanying Reg-ent article on page 29.

As Reg-ent continues to evolve, there is a growing sense of urgency regarding the need for pragmatic, meaningful, and relevant quality measures to not only assist AAO-HNS members with payers’ demands, but to allow Academy members to utilize Reg-ent for research, quality improvement, and maintenance of certification purposes. Consequently, the Foundation is currently engaged in several quality measures development efforts, including de-novo and clinical practice guideline-based measure development, development of cerumen impaction and allergic rhinitis measures through partnerships with the ECRI Institute, development of neurotology measures in partnership with the American Academy of Neurology, and through alternative pathways directly utilizing Reg-ent data. AAO-HNSF measures development efforts are ongoing, and new external measures that are relevant to otolaryngology will be evaluated and incorporated into Reg-ent on a continual basis. Any updates to the list of available Reg-ent measures may be found online at www.entnet.org/content/reg-ent-measures.

 

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