New policy from American Academy of Pediatrics - Principles for the development and use of quality measures

Feb 4 2008

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is committed to improving the health care system to provide the highest quality and safest health care for children.

The new policy statement, “Principles for the Development and Use of Quality Measures,” was developed as a guide for pediatricians on the key criteria for the development and appropriate uses of quality measures. 

Performance measurement/accountability and quality improvement have become a major force in shaping the health care system for clinicians, families and their children.

The AAP offers the following five recommendations for quality measurement: Measures should address important issues for children;

• Measures should be appropriate for children’s health;
• Measures should be scientifically valid;
• Measures should be feasible;
• Measures should address what can be improved.