Nine measurements for evaluating the quality of your dementia care

In 2016 a work group representing 21 health organizations published the Dementia Management Quality Measurement Set — a nationally recognized, evidence-based, clearly defined, effective group of metrics physicians can use to evaluate their current level of dementia care and improve upon it.

1.    Disclosure of dementia diagnosis: Percentage of patients with a qualifying dementing disorder or disease whose diagnosis has been disclosed to them and, if available, their primary caregiver.

2.    Education and support of caregivers: Percentage of patients with dementia whose caregivers were provided education on dementia disease management and health behavior changes and were referred to additional resources for support in the last 12 months.

3.    Functional status assessment for patients with dementia: Percentage of patients with dementia for whom an assessment of functional status was performed at least once in the last 12 months.

4.    Screening and management of behavioral and psychiatric symptoms: Percentage of patients with dementia for whom there was a documented screening for behavioral and psychiatric symptoms, including depression, and for whom, if screening was positive, there was also documentation of recommendations for management in the last 12 months.

5.    Safety concern screening and follow-up: Percentage of patients with dementia or their caregivers for whom there was a documented safety screening for dangerousness to self or others and environmental risks and for whom, if screening was positive, there was also documentation they were provided recommendations for mitigation, which may include referral to other resources, in the last 12 months.

6.    Driving screening and follow-up: Percentage of patients with dementia for whom there was a documented screening for driving risks and for whom, if screening was positive, there was also documentation they were informed of alternatives to driving in the last 12 months.

7.    Advance care planning and palliative care counseling: Percentage of patients with dementia who have an advance care plan or surrogate decision-maker documented in the medical record or documentation in the medical record that an advance care plan was discussed but the patient did not wish or was not able to name a surrogate decision-maker or provide an advance care plan. Percentage of patients with dementia or their surrogate decision-maker who received comprehensive counseling regarding ongoing palliation and symptom management and end-of-life decisions within two years of initial diagnosis or assumption of care.

8.    Pain assessment and follow-up: Percentage of patients with dementia who underwent documented screening for pain symptoms at every visit and, if screening was positive, also had documentation of a follow-up plan.

9.    Pharmacological treatment: Percentage of patients with dementia or their caregivers with whom available guideline-appropriate pharmacologic treatment options and nonpharmacological behavior and lifestyle modifications were discussed at least once in the last 12 months.

Read the full FPM article: “Tools for Better Dementia Care."