June 7, 2006
MINUTES
Kidney Care Quality Initiative Steering Committee
June 7, 2006
Conference Call
Participants
Ed Jones, KCP Chairman-elect
Alan Kliger
Mike Lazarus
Charlie McAllister
Maureen Michael
Kent Thiry, KCP Chairman
David Warnock
Gail Wick
Linda Keegan, KCP
Kathy Lester, Patton Boggs and KCP
Eli Tomar, Patton Boggs
Summary
The Steering Committee members focused on the work of the clinical measures work group and the need to finalize its Phase I recommendations.
Opening Remarks
Kent Thiry and Ed Jones opened the meeting. Mr. Thiry stated three facts about the status of the quality initiative. First, the broader Alliance needs to meet as soon as possible to meet the needs of Congress and CMS both of whom are likely to move on P4P this fall. Second, CMS Chief Medical Office Barry Straube that he would prefer the Alliance to take up recommendations related to clinical measures and allow the Alliance to develop a final set of measures. Third, the Clinical Measures Work Group has been working for nearly six months and is nearing the point at which the Alliance must move forward with, or without, completed measures. Dr. Jones echoed Mr. Thiry’s call for action. He added that it would be preferable to provide the Alliance with as fully developed measures as possible.
Status of the Clinical Measures
Charlie McAllister indicated that Bill Haley, the facilitator of the Clinical Measures Work Group, is discussing an approach and is eager to complete the recommendations within a couple of weeks. Alan Kliger explained the compromise as involving a single set of clinical measures aggregated to the appropriate level. He informed the Steering Committee that they will have five or six well-developed measures to present to lawmakers and regulators. The Work Group is scheduled to meet in person Saturday, June 24.
Dr. McAllister summarized the conversations he, Dr. Kliger, Linda Keegan, and Kathy Lester have had with Dr. Haley regarding the Work Group’s discussions about outcomes-based measures.
The group addressed the Work Group’s request for a methodologist to assist in aggregating the measures. Kathy Lester and the Steering Committee Co-Chairs will take the necessary action to
contact a methodologist in the next week.
A Timetable for the Clinical Measures
The members discussed the need for a specific timetable for the Clinical Measures Work Group. The group agreed that the process must be done correctly, but also agreed that Phase I must be brought to a close. David Warnock proposed establishing a July 1 deadline for the Work Group to finalize its recommendations. Other participants indicated their support for this timetable. Therefore, the Work Group must present its work product, either finalized or as is, by July 1 to the Steering Committee. If more work is required, the Steering Committee will complete it so that it can move to the KCP Board and Alliance.
To facilitate acceptance by CMS and Congress, Mr. Thiry proposed utilizing an external specialist to review the recommendations before they are presented to Congress and CMS.
Gail Wick reiterated the importance of keeping the KCP Board informed of the process. Participants agreed that there should be a presentation at the next KCP Board meeting describing how clinical measures are developed, as well as the recommendations and why they were selected.
Status of the Kidney Care Quality Alliance
The group agreed that the KCP will bring together an in-person meeting of the Alliance in July.
Next Steps
- The Work Group will be informed of the charge and timetable approved by the Steering Committee.
- A methodologist will be retained.
- The Steering Committee will hold a call during the week of July 3 to discuss the work product of the Clinical Measures Work Group provided on July 1.
- The KCQA will meet in July.
