NQF endorses palliative and end-of-life measures

The National Quality Forum (NQF) on Tuesday announced its endorsement of 14 quality measures on palliative and end-of-life care. The measures address a wide range of care concerns, including pain management, psychosocial needs, care transitions and experiences of care.

The endorsed measures include those previously endorsed by NQF and newly submitted measures for initial endorsement.

"Palliative care teams have been shown to help improve patient care quality throughout the course of treatment," said R. Sean Morrison, MD, director of the National Palliative Care Research Center. "This measure set will help support such efforts, such as enhanced treatment of pain and other symptoms, improved communication between providers and patients, fewer admissions to emergency departments and increased patient satisfaction."

NQF is a voluntary consensus standards-setting organization. Any party may request reconsideration of any of the 14 endorsed quality measures by submitting an appeal no later than March 14. To submit an appeal, go to the NQF Measure Database.

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