Five for Friday April 19: Celebrating Success in Advancing Medication Use Quality
Collaboration is one of PQA's greatest attributes, and our measure development process embodies how our diverse member organizations reach consensus on evaluating medication use quality. The public comment period is an important part of our systematic and transparent consensus-based process.
This week, we opened a public comment period for one health plan performance measure that is being considered for retirement. Learn more about the comment opportunity below.
We also highlight our members' perspectives on polypharmacy, food as medicine and the impact of oral anticancer medication adherence on health care resource utilization. If you have news you'd like for us to spotlight in an upcoming Five For Friday, send us an email!
-- Carolyn Lockwood, RN, MSN, Director of Performance Measurement
Polypharmacy is growing, according to the IQVIA Institute for Human Data Sciences’ Global Use of Medicines report for 2024. Sometimes polypharmacy is inevitable, but patients can struggle with adherence or face a higher safety risk, especially as medication usage continues to grow. EnlivenHealth says that new educational tools and clear communication between providers and pharmacists can help patients avoid unnecessary risks.
Integrating Nutrition into Disease Management
Pharmacies have a great opportunity to get involved in the “food is medicine” movement. Individuals who don’t have reliable access to food are more likely to encounter challenges related to medication access and medication therapy outcomes. NACDS has a focus on food pharmacy programs, which empower patients to take control of their own nutrition and holistic health by managing or even preventing CVD and other chronic diseases. See PQA's SDOH Resource Guide for more insights.
Assessing OAM Adherence and HRU
PQA, the National Pharmaceutical Council and the University of Rhode Island partnered to determine the association between oral anticancer medication (OAM) adherence and health care resource utilization (HRU). Published in the April 2024 issue of JMCP, the study found that HRU was generally similar between adherent and nonadherent patients, with a slightly higher number of office and outpatient visits among adherent patients. Read more about PQA's ongoing work to improve OAM use quality..
Provide Comment on PQA Measure for Retirement
PQA invites comments on the recommended retirement of one health plan performance measure.
- Use of Opioids from Multiple Providers in Persons Without Cancer (OMP)
PQA members can visit the Member Resources Library for details and links to measure information and the comment form. PQA is providing a 15-business day public comment period and is accepting comments through April 26, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. ET.
Following the comment period, PQA members will have the opportunity to vote electronically on the measure.
Your Next Engagement Opportunities
Network, Learn and Collaborate with PQA
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The 2024 PQA Annual Meeting takes place May 14-16, at the Baltimore Inner Harbor in Baltimore, Md. Make plans to join us! PQA’s collaborative approach makes its meetings a preferred destination for quality improvement professionals. Register to join us today!
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The PQA All-Member Webinar is Thursday, May 30, from 1:00-1:45 p.m. ET. PQA staff will discuss the measure being considered for retirement and address questions. This webinar precedes the April 8 - 26 member voting period. The registration link is in the Member Resources Library.
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PQA's 2nd Quarter 2024 Stakeholder Advisory Meeting is June 5, 1:00-1:30 pm ET. PQA SAMs are members-only events that are held quarterly to share current and relevant measure development and maintenance updates. The registration link is in the Member Resources Library.