May 8, 2007
MINUTES
Kidney Care Quality Alliance Steering Committee
May 8, 2007
Conference Call
Attendees
| ANNA | Gail Wick |
| ASPN | Barbara Fivush |
| DaVita | Kent Thiry |
| FMC | Ray Hakim |
| NKF | Dolph Chianchiano |
| NRAA | Maureen Michael |
| RPA | Allen Nissenson |
| KCP | Linda Keegan |
| Facilitator/Administrative Arm Patton Boggs | Kathy Lester, Julie Black |
Summary
The Steering Committee members revised the draft recommendations for collaboration with the AMA Consortium. Dr. Ray Hakim and Ms. Gail Wick were elected to serve as the co-chairs of the Steering Committee.
Review and Approval of Minutes
The members approved the minutes from the April 26, 2007, meeting.
Report on Collaboration with the AMA Consortium
Staff reported that they have conveyed to the AMA Consortium the plan to move forward in collaboration with the AMA Consortium to develop the next phase of adult clinical measures. Staff relayed that the Consortium intentions to ensure that measures have been developed for all specialties before returning to ESRD measures. To this end, the Consortium staff will provide a sense of timing for when the collaboration could begin.
Discussion of Draft Recommendations for Collaboration with AMA Consortium
The Steering Committee reviewed the draft principles for collaboration with the AMA Consortium. Members debated the extent to which work group members should disclose conflicts of interest. All members agreed to include a conflicts of interest statement, although financial disclosure will not be required. The Steering Committee advised staff to research whether AMA has a standard that can be adopted or amended.
The discussion moved to determination of domain measures for which the joint group will develop measures. Members noted that the KCQA has identified three measures to be developed. A member noted that the AMA Consortium has a call to discuss new measures on May 21. The Steering Committee decided to revise the principles to include a process to determine which new measures will be developed. Members agreed that if the joint work group decides to develop other measures, the work group must provide a written explanation to the KCQA and the AMA and obtain their approval.
Members expressed concerns regarding Steering Committee members’ participation on the joint work group and KCQA guidelines which established that only one member can serve on each work group to ensure that groups are management. The Steering Committee agreed to clarify that each organization should have equal representation to provide transparency in the composition of work groups.
Several members expressed concern that the AMA will not be as involved in developing facility measures as it will be in developing physician measures.
The Steering Committee agreed to move the principles forward to the Consortium as amended. Staff asked that any other changes be emailed to Kathy Lester by close of business on Friday, May 11.
Structure of the Steering Committee
Given discussions off-line of the need for co-chairs, the Steering Committee discussed who should be selected for the role. Members discussed the nominations of Dr. Ray Hakim and Gail Wick. One member noted that these nominees would represent the physicians and non-physician community within KCP. Members determined that the role of the co-chairs is to serve as a leader and point of contact in collaboration with other organizations, rather than to act on behalf of a particular community. No members objected to naming Dr. Hakim and Ms. Wick as co-chairs of the Steering Committee.
Next Steps
Staff will work with Dr. Barry Straube’s office to identify possible times for the June Steering Committee meeting. Staff will also revise the proposed KCQA/AMA Consortium principles and will circulate a list of nominees for work groups that are KCQA specific. Steering Committee members should indicate to Ms. Lester any interest in serving on the joint work group.
