NQMBC Crosses the Ocean: A Quality Program Adopted in China

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Healthcare Quality Improvement
• Health Informatics

Background:

• The National Consortium of Breast Centers (NCBC) developed the National Quality Measures for Breast Centers (NQMBC) to address the Institute of Medicine's call for improved breast cancer care quality.
• The NQMBC is a web-based quality assessment program designed for widespread accessibility, allowing breast centers to evaluate their performance across various disciplines.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of the NQMBC program in improving breast cancer care quality in China.
• To assess the quality of care provided in three large Chinese breast centers using the NQMBC framework.
• To facilitate the integration of NQMBC into Chinese healthcare systems as a measure of breast care quality.

Main Methods:

• The NQMBC utilizes real-time data from participating breast centers for performance comparison.
• Submitted center data is compared against the 25th, 50th, and 75th percentiles of all other participating centers.
• Data is confidential, and no patient-specific information is shared.

Main Results:

• A government grant supports the implementation of NQMBC in three major Chinese breast centers.
• Chinese clinicians have undergone observerships in the US to understand breast cancer care approaches.
• In-person exchanges have initiated the integration of NQMBC in Chinese facilities.

Conclusions:

• Three major medical centers in China will integrate the NQMBC program to measure and improve breast care.
• This pilot program is expected to enhance the level of breast cancer care in China.
• The initiative represents a significant extension of the NQMBC's international application.