Quality Reporting Will Improve Treatment for Malnutrition
Avalere Health, Academy Collaborate on Malnutrition Composite Score
August 2, 2022
CHICAGO – Hospitals, medium and large medical practices and other health care facilities will be able to improve the quality of care for patients with malnutrition and reduce hospital stays and costs through a new opportunity resulting from work by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and Avalere Health that was recently approved by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services recently finalized its proposal to include the Global Malnutrition Composite Score in its Hospital Inpatient Quality Reporting Program in the 2023 Inpatient Prospective Payment System Final Rule.
"The Global Malnutrition Composite Score advances the treatment of patients with malnutrition, elevates the role of registered dietitian nutritionists in interdisciplinary health care teams and incentivizes health systems to provide the best level of care—all of which can shorten hospital stays and reduce readmissions," said registered dietitian nutritionist and Academy President Ellen R. Shanley.
The Global Malnutrition Composite Score, stewarded by the Academy and developed by Avalere, a member of Fishawack Health, is the first nutrition-focused quality measure and first composite electronic clinical quality measure in any CMS payment program.
The Academy and Avalere developed, tested, and fine-tuned the four components of the Global Malnutrition Composite Score through the Malnutrition Quality Improvement Initiative.
The Global Malnutrition Composite Score measures rates of nutrition screening, assessment by a registered dietitian nutritionist, malnutrition diagnosis by a physician and nutrition care plan documentation. Measuring performance based on this collective information can facilitate high-quality, comprehensive nutrition care that begins in the inpatient setting and can continue after discharge.
"Malnutrition is a significant concern in the Medicare population, leading to increased readmissions, higher costs and longer length of stay. Including this measure in the Hospital IQR Program may promote data collection and reporting and encourage providers to prioritize high-quality nutrition care in this vulnerable population," said Avalere President Elizabeth Carpenter.
As part of the Hospital Inpatient Quality Reporting Program, hospitals can elect to report on the Global Malnutrition Composite Score as one of their three voluntary, self-selected electronic clinical quality measures beginning in 2024. This will expand opportunities for hospitals to improve their malnutrition care performance and realize health, quality performance and cost-reduction outcomes similar to those achieved by hospitals already tracking performance on the individual malnutrition care electronic clinical quality measures through the MQii. Hospitals that elect to report on the measure to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services can leverage existing MQii resources to support their quality improvement programs.
Visit the Academy's website and the MQii Global Malnutrition Composite Score webpage for additional information. The public is welcome to learn more by registering for the free webinar Quarterly Spotlight on Malnutrition that will take place on August 10, noon - 1 p.m. (Central time). In the coming months, the Academy and Avalere will create and disseminate educational materials for clinicians and administrators to better understand this opportunity.
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About the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
Representing more than 112,000 credentialed nutrition and dietetics practitioners, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is the world’s largest organization of food and nutrition professionals. The Academy is committed to improving health and advancing the profession of dietetics through research, education and advocacy. Visit the Academy at www.eatright.org.
About Avalere Health
In an environment that demands a 360-degree perspective, Avalere Health, a member of Fishawack Health, brings innovative, data-driven solutions to complex health care challenges. Avalere is a health care consulting firm that operates at the intersection of policy, access, and transformation. We rely on expansive, proprietary data to derive insights and imagine what does not yet exist.
Our customers span the health care continuum including the top 25 life sciences companies, leading health plans, top health care providers, and health care investors. Knowing that our customers we work with are people first, we join them in their drive to make a positive difference in health care. Inspired by our customers, empowered by data, and propelled by our inclusive culture, we are the essential voice improving health care. Visit us at www.avalere.com and follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn.
About Fishawack Health
Fishawack Health (FH) is a leading global commercialization partner for the biopharmaceutical, medical technology, and wellness industries. The future of health is fast-paced and complex, demanding a different approach. Established in 2001, our 1300+ health care experts combine their knowledge and expertise across our four core disciplines—Medical; Marketing; Policy, Access, Value, Evidence; and Consulting.
Working across the product and service lifecycle, from research and development to post-launch, we engage our collective force to solve the complex health care challenges of today and tomorrow. We imagine a healthier world and build the connections to make it happen. Visit us at www.fishawack.com and follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn.
Join the Academy
Members of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics receive exciting benefits including complimentary continuing professional education opportunities, discounts on events and products in eatrightSTORE.org, invitations to exclusive members-only events and more!