Electronic clinical quality measure reporting challenges: findings from the Medicare EHR Incentive Program's...

To identify physician and practice characteristics associated with high clinical and technical performance on the electronic clinical quality measure (eCQM) that calculates the proportion of patients with hypertension who have controlled blood pressure.

The study included 268 602 physicians participating in the Medicare Electronic Health Record Incentive Program between 2011 and 2014. Independent variables included delivery reform participation and physician, practice level, and area characteristics. Successful technical performance was a reported eCQM with non-zero values in both the numerator and denominator. Successful clinical performance was a reported eCQM value of ≥70% hypertension control.

Physicians with longer experience using certified health information technology, participants in delivery reform programs, and specialists that traditionally manage hypertension were 5%-15% more likely to achieve 70% control. Physicians in smaller and rural practices and a subset of physicians unlikely to primarily manage hypertension were more likely to submit measures with a zero value in either the numerator or denominator.

More physicians are using eCQMs to track and report their quality improvement efforts. This research presents the first examination of national eCQM data to identify physician and practice-level characteristics associated with performance.

With careful selection of measures relevant to the clinician's specialty, complete data entry, and support for continuous quality improvement, health care professionals can excel technically and clinically. As care delivery transitions from fee-for-service to quality- and value-based models, high performers may realize financial gains and better patient outcomes. These analyses suggest patterns that may inform steps to improve performance.