dQM QICore Content Implementation Guide
2025.0.0 - CI Build
dQM QICore Content Implementation Guide, published by cqframework. This guide is not an authorized publication; it is the continuous build for version 2025.0.0 built by the FHIR (HL7® FHIR® Standard) CI Build. This version is based on the current content of https://github.com/cqframework/dqm-content-qicore-2025/ and changes regularly. See the Directory of published versions
Measure | Description |
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Cesarean BirthFHIR | Nulliparous patients with a term, singleton baby in a vertex position delivered by cesarean birth |
Hospital Harm - Falls with InjuryFHIR | This ratio measure assesses the number of inpatient hospitalizations where at least one fall with a major or moderate injury occurs among the total qualifying inpatient hospital days for patients aged 18 years and older |
Severe Obstetric ComplicationsFHIR | Patients with severe obstetric complications that occur during the inpatient delivery hospitalization |
Discharged on Antithrombotic TherapyFHIR | Ischemic stroke patients prescribed or continuing to take antithrombotic therapy at hospital discharge |
Excessive Radiation Dose or Inadequate Image Quality for Diagnostic Computed Tomography (CT) in Adults (Clinician Level) FHIR | This measure provides a standardized method for monitoring the performance of diagnostic CT to discourage unnecessarily high radiation doses, a risk factor for cancer, while preserving image quality. It is expressed as a % of patients with CT exams that are out-of-range based on having either excessive radiation dose or inadequate image quality relative to evidence-based thresholds based on the clinical indication for the exam. All diagnostic CT exams of specified anatomic sites performed in inpatient, outpatient and ambulatory care settings are eligible. This measure is not telehealth eligible. This eCQM requires the use of additional software to access primary data elements stored within radiology electronic health records and translate them into data elements that can be ingested by this eCQM. Additional details are included in the Guidance field. |
Excessive Radiation Dose or Inadequate Image Quality for Diagnostic Computed Tomography in Adults - Facility IQRFHIR | This measure provides a standardized method for monitoring the performance of diagnostic CT to discourage unnecessarily high radiation doses, a risk factor for cancer, while preserving image quality. This measure is expressed as a percentage of CT exams that are out-of-range based on having either excessive radiation dose or inadequate image quality relative to evidence-based thresholds based on the clinical indication for the exam. All diagnostic CT exams of specified anatomic sites performed in hospital inpatient care settings are eligible. This dQM requires the use of additional software to access primary data elements stored within radiology electronic health records and translate them into data elements that can be ingested by this dQM. Additional details are included in the Guidance (Usage) field. |
Venous Thromboembolism ProphylaxisFHIR | This measure assesses the number of patients who received Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis or have documentation why no VTE prophylaxis was given between the day of arrival to the day after hospital admission or surgery end date for surgeries that end the day after hospital admission |
Screening for Abnormal Glucose Metabolism in Patients at Risk of Developing DiabetesFHIR | Percentage of adult patients with risk factors for type 2 diabetes who are due for glycemic screening for whom the screening process was completed during the measurement period. |
HIV Annual Retention in CareFHIR | Percentage of patients, regardless of age, with a diagnosis of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) during the first 240 days of the measurement period or before the measurement period who had at least two eligible encounters or at least one eligible encounter and one HIV viral load test that were at least 90 days apart within the measurement period |
Diagnostic Delay of Venous Thromboembolism in Primary CareFHIR | Percentage of episodes for patients 18 years of age and older with documented Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) symptoms in the primary care setting and who had a diagnosis of VTE that occurs > 24 hours and within 30 days following the index primary care visit where symptoms for the VTE were first present. |
Childhood Immunization StatusFHIR | Percentage of children 2 years of age who had four diphtheria, tetanus and acellular pertussis (DTaP); three polio (IPV), one measles, mumps and rubella (MMR); three or four H influenza type B (HiB); three hepatitis B (HepB); one chicken pox (VZV); four pneumococcal conjugate (PCV); one hepatitis A (HepA); two or three rotavirus (RV); and two influenza (flu) vaccines by their second birthday |
Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) Testing for People with HIVFHIR | Percentage of patients 13 years of age and older with a diagnosis of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) who had tests for syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia performed within the measurement period |
Excessive Radiation Dose or Inadequate Image Quality for Diagnostic Computed Tomography in Adults - Facility OQRFHIR | This measure is an episode of care measure that provides a standardized method for monitoring the performance of diagnostic CT to discourage unnecessarily high radiation doses, a risk factor for cancer, while preserving image quality. This measure is expressed as a percentage of CT exams that are out-of-range based on having either excessive radiation dose or inadequate image quality relative to evidence-based thresholds based on the clinical indication for the exam. All diagnostic CT exams of specified anatomic sites performed in hospital non-inpatient care settings (including emergency settings) are eligible. This dQM requires the use of additional software to access primary data elements stored within radiology electronic health records and translate them into data elements that can be ingested by this dQM. Additional details are included in the Guidance (Usage) field. |
Hospital Harm - Postoperative Respiratory FailureFHIR | This measure assesses the number of elective inpatient hospitalizations for patients aged 18 years and older without an obstetrical condition who have a procedure resulting in postoperative respiratory failure (PRF) |
Diabetes: Glycemic Status Assessment Greater Than 9%FHIR | Percentage of patients 18-75 years of age with diabetes who had a glycemic status assessment (hemoglobin A1c [HbA1c] or glucose management indicator [GMI]) > 9.0% during the measurement period |
Emergency Care Access \& Timeliness (HOQR)FHIR | This measure assesses the variation in access and timeliness of emergency care to support hospital quality improvement for patients requiring emergency care in an emergency department (ED). This measure is designed to align with incentives to promote improved care both in EDs and the broader health system to help identify where patients do not receive timely access to emergency care. Emergency care access and timeliness gaps are inclusive of several concepts pertaining to boarding and crowding in an ED, including significantly longer ED wait times, higher left without being seen rates, longer boarding times, and longer total length of stay in the ED. |
Cervical Cancer ScreeningFHIR | Percentage of women 21-64 years of age who were screened for cervical cancer using either of the following criteria: - Women age 21-64 who had cervical cytology performed within the last 3 years - Women age 30-64 who had cervical human papillomavirus (HPV) testing performed within the last 5 years |
Breast Cancer ScreeningFHIR | Percentage of women 40-74 years of age who had a mammogram to screen for breast cancer in the 27 months prior to the end of the Measurement Period |
Emergency Care Access \& Timeliness (REHQR)FHIR | This measure assesses the variation in access and timeliness of emergency care to support rural emergency hospital (REH) quality improvement for patients requiring emergency care in an emergency department (ED). This measure is designed to align with incentives to promote improved care both in EDs and the broader health system to help identify where patients do not receive timely access to emergency care. Emergency care access and timeliness gaps are inclusive of several concepts pertaining to boarding and crowding in an ED, including significantly longer ED wait times, higher left without being seen rates, longer boarding times, and longer total length of stay in the ED. |
Antidepressant Medication ManagementFHIR | Percentage of patients 18 years of age and older who were treated with antidepressant medication, had a diagnosis of major depression, and who remained on an antidepressant medication treatment. Two rates are reported. a. Percentage of patients who remained on an antidepressant medication for at least 84 days (12 weeks). b. Percentage of patients who remained on an antidepressant medication for at least 180 days (6 months). |
Prostate Cancer: Avoidance of Overuse of Bone Scan for Staging Low Risk Prostate Cancer PatientsFHIR | Percentage of patients, regardless of age, with a diagnosis of prostate cancer at low (or very low) risk of recurrence receiving interstitial prostate brachytherapy, OR external beam radiotherapy to the prostate, OR radical prostatectomy who did not have a bone scan performed at any time since diagnosis of prostate cancer |
Colorectal Cancer ScreeningFHIR | Percentage of adults 45-75 years of age who had appropriate screening for colorectal cancer |
Diabetes: Eye ExamFHIR | Percentage of patients 18-75 years of age with diabetes and an active diagnosis of retinopathy in any part of the measurement period who had a retinal or dilated eye exam by an eye care professional during the measurement period or diabetics with no diagnosis of retinopathy in any part of the measurement period who had a retinal or dilated eye exam by an eye care professional during the measurement period or in the 12 months prior to the measurement period |
Cataracts: 20/40 or Better Visual Acuity within 90 Days Following Cataract SurgeryFHIR | Percentage of cataract surgeries for patients aged 18 and older with a diagnosis of uncomplicated cataract and no significant ocular conditions impacting the visual outcome of surgery and had best-corrected visual acuity of 20/40 or better (distance or near) achieved in the operative eye within 90 days following the cataract surgery |
Heart Failure (HF): Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitor or Angiotensin Receptor Blocker (ARB) or Angiotensin Receptor-Neprilysin Inhibitor (ARNI) Therapy for Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction (LVSD)FHIR | Percentage of patients aged 18 years and older with a diagnosis of heart failure (HF) with a current or prior left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) <=40% who were prescribed or already taking ACE inhibitor or ARB or ARNI therapy during the measurement period |
Follow-Up Care for Children Prescribed ADHD MedicationFHIR | Percentage of children 6-12 years of age and newly prescribed a medication for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) who had appropriate follow-up care. Two rates are reported. a. Percentage of children who had one follow-up visit with a practitioner with prescribing authority during the 30-Day Initiation Phase. b. Percentage of children who remained on ADHD medication for at least 210 treatment days and who, in addition to the visit in the Initiation Phase, had at least two additional follow-up visits with a practitioner within 270 days (9 months) after the Initiation Phase ended. |
Initiation and Engagement of Substance Use Disorder TreatmentFHIR | Percentage of patients 13 years of age and older with a new substance use disorder (SUD) episode who received the following (Two rates are reported): a. Percentage of patients who initiated treatment, including either an intervention or medication for the treatment of SUD, within 14 days of the new SUD episode. b. Percentage of patients who engaged in ongoing treatment, including two additional interventions or medication treatment events for SUD, or one long-acting medication event for the treatment of SUD, within 34 days of the initiation. |
Preventive Care and Screening: Tobacco Use: Screening and Cessation InterventionFHIR | Percentage of patients aged 12 years and older who were screened for tobacco use one or more times during the measurement period AND who received tobacco cessation intervention during the measurement period or in the six months prior to the measurement period if identified as a tobacco user. Three rates are reported: a. Percentage of patients aged 12 years and older who were screened for tobacco use one or more times during the measurement period b. Percentage of patients aged 12 years and older who were identified as a tobacco user during the measurement period who received tobacco cessation intervention during the measurement period or in the six months prior to the measurement period c. Percentage of patients aged 12 years and older who were screened for tobacco use one or more times during the measurement period AND who received tobacco cessation intervention during the measurement period or in the six months prior to the measurement period if identified as a tobacco user |
Falls: Screening for Future Fall RiskFHIR | Percentage of patients 65 years of age and older who were screened for future fall risk during the measurement period |
Diabetic Retinopathy: Communication with the Physician Managing Ongoing Diabetes CareFHIR | Percentage of patients aged 18 years and older with a diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy who had a dilated macular or fundus exam performed with documented communication to the physician who manages the ongoing care of the patient with diabetes mellitus regarding the findings of the macular or fundus exam at least once during the measurement period |
Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma (POAG): Optic Nerve EvaluationFHIR | Percentage of patients aged 18 years and older with a diagnosis of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) who have an optic nerve head evaluation during one or more visits during the measurement period |
Heart Failure (HF): Beta-Blocker Therapy for Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction (LVSD)FHIR | Percentage of patients aged 18 years and older with a diagnosis of heart failure (HF) with a current or prior left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) <= 40% who were prescribed or already taking beta-blocker therapy during the measurement period |
Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): Beta-Blocker Therapy-Prior Myocardial Infarction (MI) or Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction (LVEF less than or equal to 40%)FHIR | Percentage of patients aged 18 years and older with a diagnosis of coronary artery disease seen within a 12-month period who also have a prior MI or a current or prior left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) <=40% who were prescribed beta-blocker therapy |
Appropriate Testing for PharyngitisFHIR | The percentage of episodes for patients 3 years and older with a diagnosis of pharyngitis that resulted in an antibiotic order on or three days after the episode date and a group A streptococcus (strep) test in the seven-day period from three days prior to the episode date through three days after the episode date |
Dementia: Cognitive AssessmentFHIR | Percentage of patients, regardless of age, with a diagnosis of dementia for whom an assessment of cognition is performed and the results reviewed at least once within the 12 months preceding a dementia encounter during the measurement period |
Chlamydia Screening in WomenFHIR | Percentage of women 16-24 years of age who were identified as sexually active at any time during the measurement period and who had at least one test for chlamydia during the measurement period |
Appropriate Treatment for Upper Respiratory Infection (URI)FHIR | Percentage of episodes for patients 3 months of age and older with a diagnosis of upper respiratory infection (URI) that did not result in an antibiotic order |
Weight Assessment and Counseling for Nutrition and Physical Activity for Children/AdolescentsFHIR | Percentage of patients 3-17 years of age who had an outpatient visit with a primary care physician (PCP) or obstetrician/gynecologist (OB/GYN) and who had evidence of the following during the measurement period. - Percentage of patients with height, weight, and body mass index (BMI) percentile documentation - Percentage of patients with counseling for nutrition - Percentage of patients with counseling for physical activity |
Use of High-Risk Medications in Older AdultsFHIR | Percentage of patients 65 years of age and older who were ordered at least two high-risk medications from the same drug class. Three rates are reported. 1. Percentage of patients 65 years of age and older who were ordered at least two high-risk medications from the same drug class. 2. Percentage of patients 65 years of age and older who were ordered at least two high-risk medications from the same drug class, except for appropriate diagnoses. 3. Total rate (the sum of the two numerators divided by the denominator, deduplicating for patients in both numerators). |
Oncology: Medical and Radiation Pain Intensity QuantifiedFHIR | Percentage of patient visits, regardless of patient age, with a diagnosis of cancer currently receiving chemotherapy or radiation therapy in which pain intensity is quantified |
Depression Remission at Twelve MonthsFHIR | The percentage of adolescent patients 12 to 17 years of age and adult patients 18 years of age or older with major depression or dysthymia who reached remission 12 months (+/- 60 days) after an index event |
Controlling High Blood PressureFHIR | Percentage of patients 18-85 years of age who had a diagnosis of essential hypertension starting before and continuing into, or starting during the first six months of the measurement period, and whose most recent blood pressure was adequately controlled (<140/90 mmHg) during the measurement period |
Child and Adolescent Major Depressive Disorder (MDD): Suicide Risk AssessmentFHIR | Percentage of patient visits for those patients aged 6 through 16 at the start of the measurement period with a diagnosis of major depressive disorder (MDD) with an assessment for suicide risk |
Intensive Care Unit Venous Thromboembolism ProphylaxisFHIR | This measure assesses the number of patients who received Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis on the day of or the day after the initial admission (or transfer) to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) or on the day of or the day after surgery end date for surgeries that end the day after ICU admission (or transfer) or have documentation why no VTE prophylaxis was given between the day of arrival and the day after ICU admission (for patients directly admitted as inpatients to the ICU) or on the day of or the day after surgery end date for surgeries that end the day after ICU admission (or transfer) |
Preventive Care and Screening: Screening for High Blood Pressure and Follow-Up DocumentedFHIR | Percentage of patient visits for patients aged 18 years and older seen during the measurement period who were screened for high blood pressure AND a recommended follow-up plan is documented, as indicated, if blood pressure is elevated or hypertensive |
Preventive Care and Screening: Screening for Depression and Follow-Up PlanFHIR | Percentage of patients aged 12 years and older screened for depression on the date of the encounter or up to 14 days prior to the date of the encounter using an age-appropriate standardized depression screening tool AND if positive, a follow-up plan is documented on the date of or up to two days after the date of the qualifying encounter |
HIV Viral SuppressionFHIR | Percentage of patients, regardless of age, diagnosed with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) prior to or during the first 90 days of the measurement period, with an eligible encounter in the first 240 days of the measurement period, whose last HIV viral load test result was less than 200 copies/mL during the measurement period |
Statin Therapy for the Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular DiseaseFHIR | Percentage of the following patients - all considered at high risk of cardiovascular events - who were prescribed or were on statin therapy during the measurement period:
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HIV ScreeningFHIR | Percentage of patients aged 15-65 at the start of the measurement period who were between 15-65 years old when tested for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) |
Safe Use of Opioids - Concurrent PrescribingFHIR | Proportion of inpatient hospitalizations for patients 18 years of age and older prescribed, or continued on, two or more opioids or an opioid and benzodiazepine concurrently at discharge |
Closing the Referral Loop: Receipt of Specialist ReportFHIR | Percentage of patients with referrals, regardless of age, for which the referring clinician receives a report from the clinician to whom the patient was referred |
Functional Status Assessment for Total Hip ReplacementFHIR | Percentage of patients 19 years of age and older who received an elective primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) and completed a functional status assessment within 90 days prior to the surgery and in the 300 - 425 days after the surgery |
Bone Density Evaluation for Patients with Prostate Cancer and Receiving Androgen Deprivation TherapyFHIR | Percentage of patients determined as having prostate cancer who are currently starting or undergoing androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), for an anticipated period of 12 months or greater and who receive an initial bone density evaluation. The bone density evaluation must be prior to the start of ADT or within 3 months of the start of ADT. |
Intravesical Bacillus-Calmette-Guerin for Non-Muscle Invasive Bladder CancerFHIR | Percentage of patients initially diagnosed with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer and who received intravesical Bacillus-Calmette-Guerin (BCG) within 6 months of bladder cancer staging |
Documentation of Current Medications in the Medical RecordFHIR | Percentage of visits for which the eligible clinician attests to documenting a list of current medications using all immediate resources available on the date of the encounter |
Preventive Care and Screening: Body Mass Index (BMI) Screening and Follow-Up PlanFHIR | Percentage of patients aged 18 years and older with a BMI documented during the current encounter or during the measurement period AND who had a follow-up plan documented if BMI was outside of normal parameters |
Anticoagulation Therapy for Atrial Fibrillation/FlutterFHIR | Ischemic stroke patients with atrial fibrillation/flutter who are prescribed or continuing to take anticoagulation therapy at hospital discharge |
Antithrombotic Therapy by End of Hospital Day 2FHIR | Ischemic stroke patients administered antithrombotic therapy by the end of hospital day 2 |
Primary Caries Prevention Intervention as Offered by DentistsFHIR | Percentage of children, 1-20 years of age, who receive two or more fluoride varnish applications during the measurement period as determined by a dentist |
Children Who Have Dental Decay or CavitiesFHIR | Percentage of children, 1-20 years of age at the start of the measurement period, who have had dental decay or cavities during the measurement period as determined by a dentist |
Urinary Symptom Score Change 6-12 Months After Diagnosis of Benign Prostatic HyperplasiaFHIR | Percentage of patients with an office visit within the measurement period and with a new diagnosis of clinically significant Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia who have International Prostate Symptoms Score (IPSS) or American Urological Association (AUA) Symptom Index (SI) documented at time of diagnosis and again 6-12 months later with an improvement of 3 points |
Hospital Harm - Severe HypoglycemiaFHIR | The measure assesses the number of inpatient hospitalizations for patients age 18 and older who were administered at least one hypoglycemic medication during the encounter, who suffer the harm of a severe hypoglycemic event during the encounter |
Hospital Harm - Opioid-Related Adverse EventsFHIR | This measure assesses the number of inpatient hospitalizations for patients age 18 and older who have been administered an opioid medication and are subsequently administered an opioid antagonist within 12 hours, an indication of an opioid-related adverse event |
Hospital Harm - Pressure InjuryFHIR | The measure assesses the number of inpatient hospitalizations for patients aged 18 and older who suffer the harm of developing a new stage 2, stage 3, stage 4, deep tissue, or unstageable pressure injury |
Hospital Harm - Acute Kidney InjuryFHIR | The measure assesses the number of inpatient hospitalizations for patients age 18 and older who have an acute kidney injury (AKI) stage 2 or greater that occurred during the encounter. AKI stage 2 or greater is defined as a substantial increase in serum creatinine value, or by the initiation of kidney dialysis (continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT), hemodialysis, or peritoneal dialysis). |
Functional Status Assessments for Heart FailureFHIR | Percentage of patients 18 years of age and older with heart failure who completed initial and follow-up patient-reported functional status assessments |
Kidney Health EvaluationFHIR | Percentage of patients aged 18-85 years with a diagnosis of diabetes who received a kidney health evaluation defined by an Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR) AND Urine Albumin-Creatinine Ratio (uACR) within the measurement period |
Malnutrition Care ScoreFHIR | This measure assesses the percentage of eligible encounters of adults aged 18 years and older at the start of the eligible encounter during the measurement period, with a length of stay equal to or greater than 24 hours, who received optimal malnutrition care where care performed was appropriate to the patient's level of malnutrition risk and severity. Malnutrition care best practices recommend that for each eligible encounter, adult inpatients are (1) screened for malnutrition risk or for a dietitian referral order to be placed, (2) assessed by a registered dietitian (RD) or registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) to confirm findings of malnutrition risk, and if identified with a "moderate" or "severe" malnutrition status in the current performed nutrition assessment, (3) receive a "moderate" or "severe" malnutrition diagnosis by a physician or eligible clinician as defined by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), and (4) have a current nutrition care plan performed by an RD/RDN. |
Appropriate Treatment for ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) Patients in the Emergency DepartmentFHIR | Percentage of emergency department (ED) encounters for patients 18 years and older with a diagnosis of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) that received appropriate treatment, defined as fibrinolytic therapy within 30 minutes of ED arrival, percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) within 90 minutes of ED arrival, or discharge to an acute care facility within 45 minutes of ED arrival |
Core Clinical Data Elements HW Readmn FHIR | This logic is intended to extract electronic clinical data. This is not an electronic clinical quality measure and this logic will not produce measure results. Instead, it will produce a file containing the data that CMS will link with administrative claims to risk adjust the Hybrid HWR outcome measure. It is designed to extract the first resulted set of vital signs and basic laboratory results obtained from hospitalizations for adult Medicare Fee-For-Service (FFS) and Medicare Advantage (MA) patients admitted to acute care hospitals. |
Core Clinical Data Elements HW Mortality FHIR | This logic is intended to extract electronic clinical data. This is not an electronic clinical quality measure and this logic will not produce measure results. Instead, it will produce a file containing the data that CMS will link with administrative claims to risk adjust the Hybrid HWM outcome measure. It is designed to extract the first resulted set of vital signs and basic laboratory results obtained from hospitalizations for adult Medicare Fee-For-Service (FFS) and Medicare Advantage (MA) patients admitted to acute care hospitals. |
NHSN Glycemic Control Hypoglycemia Initial Population | All inpatient encounters (including ED/Observation visits that end within 1 hour of the start of the inpatient encounter) for patients of all ages where at least one diabetes medication was ordered or administered during the encounter that is during the measurement period. |