An article printed by the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) on November 29, 2010 reports a new measurement tool developed by the AAN for use by their members (other neurologist) in caring for patients with Parkinson’s disease.
This 10-point measurement tool is the first measurement ever developed by the AAN and I am pleased that they saw a need in establishing performance initiatives for Parkinson’s disease. Unlike many other diseases, there is little data collected and shared on Parkinson’s disease. This measurement tool will provide additional information relative to the progression of the disease, how patients are reacting to medications and it will give neurologist guidelines in treating patients with Parkinson’s disease. In addition, it will provide statistics on the patients being treated that collectively could be beneficial to streamlining care and eventually a cure.
It would appear that Parkinson’s disease is receiving much needed attention. The voices fighting against this disease are being heard. I am thankful to all of the associations like the Michael J. Fox Foundation, The Parkinson’s Action Network, The Northwest Parkinson’s Foundation, The American Parkinson’s Disease Foundation, and countless others for making this possible. I am also thankful and humbled that the American Academy of Neurology chose to start their measurement initiative with Parkinson’s Disease. pkp
We have always held to the hope, the belief, the conviction, that there is a better life, a better world, beyond the horizon. Franklin D. Roosevelt
See the press release below. Additional information can also be found at The American Academy of Neurology.
Measuring the quality of health care is a fundamental step toward improving health care and is increasingly used in pay-for-performance initiatives and maintenance of certification requirements. Measure development to date has focused on primary care and common conditions such as diabetes; thus, the number of measures that apply to neurologic care is limited. The American Academy of Neurology (AAN) identified the need for neurologists to develop measures of neurologic care and to establish a process to accomplish this.
Special Article
Quality improvement in neurology: AAN Parkinson disease quality measures
Report of the Quality Measurement and Reporting Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology
The AAN has developed quality measures for the care of patients with Parkinson’s disease. Designed to measure and improve the quality of care that is provided, these measures—the first developed solely by the AAN—were published in the November 30, 2010, edition of Neurology®.
The AAN quality measures for Parkinson’s disease were developed with an emphasis on the nonmotor aspects of PD such as depression, sleep, and falls that can be overlooked but have a great impact on quality of life. Members are encouraged to use the measures in their practices.
The Parkinson’s disease measures also will be incorporated into a Performance in Practice (PIP) module for Parkinson’s disease, an AAN quality improvement tool that is designed to meet the Maintenance of Certification (MOC) PIP requirements mandated by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN). This module will be released in the first quarter of 2011.
Recently passed health care reform legislation contains provisions for 0.5 percent of Medicare billings in 2011 for clinicians who participate in maintenance of certification programs and also participate in the Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI) of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Additionally, one does not have to be an ABPN diplomate or applying for MOC to participate. This effort by CMS to incentivize participation in MOC PIP improvement programs establishes a link between certification and payment.
Given these changes, quality measures development is an increasingly important initiative for specialty societies such as the AAN. The AAN is working on developing measures in epilepsy, stroke, dementia, neuropathy, headache, and multiple sclerosis. Members are encouraged to be involved by suggesting measure topic nominations to the Quality Measurement and Reporting Subcommittee.
