Hematology-Specific Quality Measures Continue Development

ASH™ continues to work closely with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on finalizing four hematology-specific quality measures so that they will be incorporated in the new Medicare Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI) – a “pay-for-reporting” program that will be implemented July 1, 2007. The ASH hematology measures were recently approved by the American Medical Association Physician Consortium for Performance Improvement and the AQA.

ASH Draft Hematology Quality Metrics

Intended Audience and Patient Population:
Any hematologist caring for patients aged 18 years and older with Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS), Acute Leukemias, Multiple Myeloma (MM), or Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)

These clinical performance measures are designed for individual quality improvement. Some of the measures may also be appropriate for accountability if appropriate sample sizes and implementation rules are achieved.

Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS) and Acute Leukemias

Measure #1 – Baseline cytogenetic testing performed on bone marrow

Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS)

Measure #2 – Documentation of baseline iron stores in patients receiving erythropoietin therapy

Multiple Myeloma (MM)

Measure #3 – Treatment with bisphosphonates

Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)

Measure #4 – Baseline flow cytometry