Measure Production & Monitoring
Measure production and monitoring includes the ongoing tasks necessary to use the measure over time. This process varies significantly from one measure set to another depending on a number of factors, which may include
- Scope of measure implementation
- Measured entity
- Data collection processes
- Intended use of the measure (e.g., quality improvement, public reporting, pay-for-reporting, value-based purchasing)
- Program measure use (measure evaluation criterion)
The level of effort for each task may vary by different measure attributes.
There may be a requirement for measure developers to perform various tasks associated with ongoing implementation and production. The graphic provides an overview of the steps in the production and monitoring process.
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Conduct Data Collection and Ongoing Surveillance
Once measure development is complete and there is resolution of dry run identified implementation issues (if applicable), the measure may go to full implementation where the measured entities collect and calculate data. The measure developer’s ongoing surveillance should include scanning medical and scientific publications as well as the general media for articles and commentaries about the measure.
Ongoing information surveillance is similar to the information gathering stage covered in Measure Conceptualization. The measure developer conducts analyses of the literature and submits or uses reports for annual measure updates, as required by the project.
As use of the measure continues, the measure developer identifies publication of new studies that address the soundness of the measure. The measure developer must pay attention to any organizations that issue relevant clinical practice guidelines (e.g., monitor ECRI Guidelines Trust®), especially for process measures. If the measure is based on a specific set of guidelines, the measure developer should monitor the guidelines’ publisher closely for any indication of plans to change their guidelines. If the measure is not based on guidelines, the measure developer can monitor the scientific and clinical literature for reports that would impact the scientific basis of the measure. New information, guideline changes, or other statements may trigger an early maintenance review.
Measure developers can use the Environmental Scan Support Tool (ESST) and De Novo Measure Scan (DNMS) (login required) to assist with the literature review. See the ESST QuickStart Guide for how to use the ESST. When you login to the DNMS, you will have access to the DNMS QuickStart and a tutorial video.