National Quality Forum

The logo of the National Quality Forum

The National Quality Forum (NQF) is a non-profit organization based in the United States that aims to improve the quality of healthcare. It was established in 1999 and is headquartered in Washington, D.C. The NQF plays a critical role in the healthcare system by endorsing standards for measuring and publicly reporting on healthcare performance.

Mission and Objectives

The mission of the National Quality Forum is to lead national collaboration to improve health and healthcare quality through measurement. The NQF seeks to achieve this mission by:

• Endorsing consensus-based national standards for measuring and publicly reporting on performance.
• Promoting the attainment of national goals through education and outreach programs.
• Providing a framework for healthcare quality measurement and reporting.

Structure and Governance

The NQF is governed by a Board of Directors, which includes representatives from various sectors of the healthcare industry, including providers, payers, consumers, and other stakeholders. The organization operates through a membership model, allowing diverse healthcare stakeholders to participate in its activities.

Key Activities

The National Quality Forum engages in several key activities to fulfill its mission:

Endorsement of Measures

The NQF endorses measures that are used to evaluate the quality of healthcare services. These measures are developed through a rigorous process that includes public and member input, scientific and technical review, and consensus development.

Measure Applications Partnership (MAP)

The Measure Applications Partnership is a public-private partnership convened by the NQF to provide input to the Department of Health and Human Services on the selection of performance measures for federal healthcare programs.

National Priorities Partnership

The National Priorities Partnership is a collaborative effort to identify and promote national priorities and goals for healthcare quality improvement.

Impact on Healthcare

The work of the National Quality Forum has a significant impact on healthcare quality in the United States. By endorsing measures and promoting best practices, the NQF helps to ensure that healthcare providers are held accountable for the quality of care they deliver. This, in turn, leads to improvements in patient outcomes and overall healthcare system performance.

Challenges and Future Directions

The NQF faces several challenges, including the need to adapt to the rapidly changing healthcare environment, address disparities in healthcare quality, and incorporate new technologies and data sources into its measurement framework. Looking forward, the NQF aims to continue its leadership role in advancing healthcare quality through innovation and collaboration.

Related Pages

• Healthcare quality
• Patient safety
• Healthcare in the United States
• Quality measurement in healthcare