Welcome to NGC. Skip directly to: Search Box, Navigation, Content.


NGC Browse - National Quality Measures Clearinghouse™ (NQMC)

The list below identifies guidelines with associated measures available through the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality's (AHRQ's) NQMC Web site. Guideline titles are listed alphabetically by developing organization. Associated measures are identified below each guideline title, with links to the corresponding measure summaries on the NQMC Web site.

Click on the the NGC number to go to the corresponding NGC guideline summary.

Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement

1) Immunizations. 2) Immunization update. NGC:6222

Immunizations: percentage of adolescents who are on time with recommended immunizations (Hep B, Hep A, HPV, MMR, MCV4, Tdap, VZV). Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement. 2003 Jul

Immunizations: percentage of two-year olds who are on time with their primary series of immunizations (DTaP, IPV, MMR, PCV7/PPV23, VZV, Hib, Hep B, Hep A, Rota). Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement. 2003 Jul

Adult low back pain. NGC:5287

Adult low back pain: percentage of acute low back pain patients without red flag indicators undergoing anterior-posterior (AP) or lateral (LAT) x-rays. Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement. 2003 Sep

Ankle sprain. NGC:4870

Ankle sprain: percentage of patients with acute ankle sprain for whom documentation of receiving patient education materials is recorded in the medical record. Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement. 2003 Jul

Ankle sprain: percentage of patients with acute ankle sprain receiving ankle x-rays at clinic within 3 days of the initial injury. Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement. 2003 Jul

Assessment and management of acute pain. NGC:6371

Assessment and management of acute pain: after 48 hours, the percentage of patients who rate pain greater than 4 (on a 10-point scale) or at an unacceptable level to patient. Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement. 2004 Mar

Assessment and management of chronic pain. NGC:6693

Assessment and management of chronic pain: percentage of patients diagnosed with chronic pain who are prescribed an opioid who have an opioid agreement form and urine toxicology screen documented in the medical record. Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement. 2007 Mar

Atrial fibrillation. NGC:5585

Atrial fibrillation: percentage of patients (without contraindications to anticoagulation) with paroxysmal, persistent, or permanent atrial fibrillation/atrial flutter (A Fib/Flutter) with risk factors for thromboembolism who are on warfarin. Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement. 2004 Nov

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. NGC:5563

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): percentage of patients with COPD whose physician inquired about smoking cessation (if patient a smoker) at every visit. Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement. 2003 Dec

Colorectal cancer screening. NGC:6580

Colorectal cancer screening: percentage of African American patients age 45 and older who are up-to-date with colorectal cancer screening. Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement. 2006 Jun

Colorectal cancer screening: percentage of patients age 50 and older who are up-to-date with colorectal cancer screening. Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement. 2003 Jul

Community-acquired pneumonia in adults. NGC:5034

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in adults: percentage of patients with a diagnosis of CAP that had a chest x-ray to confirm diagnosis. Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement. 2005 May

Diagnosis and management of asthma. NGC:6368

Diagnosis and management of asthma: percentage of adults with uncontrolled asthma who are on inhaled corticosteroids medication. Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement. 2005 Mar

Diagnosis and management of asthma: percentage of children with uncontrolled asthma who are on inhaled corticosteroids medication. Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement. 2005 Mar

Diagnosis and management of asthma: percentage of patients with asthma with education about asthma documented in the medical record. Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement. 2005 Mar

Diagnosis and management of asthma: percentage of patients with asthma with spirometry or peak flow meter reading documented in the medical record at the last visit. Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement. 2005 Mar

Diagnosis and management of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in primary care for school age children and adolescents. NGC:5843

Diagnosis and management of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in primary care for school age children and adolescents: percentage of patients diagnosed with ADHD whose medical record contains documentation that the clinician discussed the need for school-based supports and educational service options for children with ADHD. Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement. 2005 Jan

Diagnosis and management of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in primary care for school age children and adolescents: percentage of patients newly diagnosed with ADHD whose medical record contains documentation of DSM-IV or DSM-PC criteria being addressed. Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement. 2005 Jan

Diagnosis and management of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in primary care for school age children and adolescents: percentage of patients treated with medication for the diagnosis of ADHD whose medical record contains documentation of a follow-up visit twice a year. Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement. 2005 Jan

Diagnosis and management of type 2 diabetes mellitus in adults. NGC:6581

Diagnosis and management of type 2 diabetes mellitus: frequency of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol values in adult patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus by category: less than 100 mg/dL, 100-130 mg/dL, greater than 130 mg/dL, incalculable, untested. Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement. 2003 Nov

Diagnosis and management of type 2 diabetes mellitus: percentage of adult patients who have had a screen for A1C, LDL less than 100 mm/dL, blood pressure less than 130/80, who are current documented non-smokers and take daily aspirin. Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement. 2003 Nov

Diagnosis and management of type 2 diabetes mellitus: percentage of adult patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus with A1C measured in the last six months. Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement. 2003 Nov

Diagnosis and management of type 2 diabetes mellitus: percentage of adult patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus with eye exam documented within last 12 months. Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement. 2003 Nov

Diagnosis and management of type 2 diabetes mellitus: percentage of adult patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus with microalbumin tested within last 12 months. Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement. 2003 Nov

Diagnosis and treatment of adult degenerative joint disease (DJD)/osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee. NGC:5844

Diagnosis and treatment of adult degenerative joint disease (DJD)/ Osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee: percentage of patients with DJD with documented education in four comprehensive areas: protecting the joint, exercise, pain relief, healthy living habits. Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement. 2003 Nov

Diagnosis and treatment of adult degenerative joint disease (DJD)/Osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee: percentage of patients diagnosed with DJD with knee x-ray panels that include a standing view of the knee. Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement. 2003 Nov

Diagnosis and treatment of chest pain and acute coronary syndrome (ACS). NGC:5390

Diagnosis and treatment of chest pain and acute coronary syndrome (ACS): percentage of patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) receiving beta-blockers within 24 hours of arrival and on discharge. Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement. 2004 Nov

Diagnosis and treatment of chest pain and acute coronary syndrome (ACS): percentage of patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) receiving thrombolytics with a "door-to-drug time" (time from presentation to administration of drug) of less than 30 minutes. Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement. 2004 Nov

Diagnosis and treatment of chest pain and acute coronary syndrome (ACS): percentage of patients with chest pain symptoms in emergency department (ED) receiving early therapy including intravenous (IV) access, oxygen, nitroglycerin, morphine and a chewable aspirin on arrival. Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement. 2004 Nov

Diagnosis and treatment of headache. NGC:5845

Diagnosis and treatment of headache: percentage migraineurs with treatment plans for mild, moderate, and severe headaches. Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement. 2003 Jul

Diagnosis and treatment of headache: percentage of migraineurs with documented education. Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement. 2003 Jul

Diagnosis and treatment of otitis media in children. NGC:6367

Diagnosis and treatment of otitis media in children: percentage of caregivers receiving education on the symptoms suggestive of otitis media, appropriate indicators for a provider visit, risk factors, and outcomes of otitis media. Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement. 2004 May

Diagnosis and treatment of otitis media in children: percentage of patients with a diagnosis of acute otitis media who were prescribed amoxicillin. Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement. 2004 May

Diagnosis and treatment of respiratory illness in children and adults. NGC:6369

Diagnosis and treatment of respiratory illness in children and adults: percentage of encounters for cold symptoms (phone care and/or office visits) for which there is documentation of home treatment education. Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement. 2004 May

Diagnosis and treatment of respiratory illness in children and adults: percentage of patients with a diagnosis of pharyngitis who had strep screen testing. Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement. 2007 Jan

Diagnosis and treatment of respiratory illness in children and adults: percentage of patients with an office visit for cold symptoms who have had symptoms for less than seven days and who receive an antibiotic. Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement. 2004 May

Diagnosis of breast disease. NGC:6317

Diagnosis of breast disease: percentage of class 4 or class 5 abnormal mammograms that are followed by a biopsy within 7 to 10 days. Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement. 2003 Nov

Domestic violence. NGC:5286

Domestic violence: percentage of health care staff trained in initial assessment of problems of domestic violence every twelve months. Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement. 2003 Nov

Heart failure in adults. NGC:5972

Heart failure in adults: percentage of adult heart failure patients to whom (or to their caregivers) written or verbal instructions or educational material are given during the clinic visit, addressing one or more of the following: activity level, diet, medications, follow-up appointment, weight monitoring, and what to do if symptoms worsen (primary care and outpatient cardiology). Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement. 2006 Aug

Heart failure in adults: percentage of adult heart failure patients who have ever had LVSD and met the following (for which they are eligible) at their last clinic visit: prescribed or were taking ACEI/ARB, prescribed or were on beta blocker therapy, non-smoker (primary care and outpatient cardiology). Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement. 2006 Aug

Heart failure in adults: percentage of adult heart failure patients who have ever had LVSD and were prescribed or were on beta-blocker therapy within the last 12 months of the clinic visit or who have a contraindication to taking beta-blockers (primary care and outpatient cardiology). Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement. 2007 Aug

Heart failure in adults: percentage of adult heart failure patients who have ever had LVSD and were prescribed or were taking an ACEI or ARB within the last 12 months of the clinic visit, or who have contradictions to taking both ACEI or an ARB (primary care and outpatient cardiology). Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement. 2007 Aug

Heart failure in adults: percentage of adult heart failure patients who have not used tobacco anytime during the previous year (primary care and outpatient cardiology). Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement. 2006 Aug

Heart failure in adults: percentage of adult heart failure patients who have used tobacco anytime during the previous year and who were given smoking cessation advice or counseling at the last clinic visit (primary care and outpatient cardiology). Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement. 2006 Aug

Heart failure in adults: percentage of adult heart failure patients with documentation that LVS function was evaluated or will be evaluated (primary care and outpatient cardiology). Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement. 2006 Aug

Heart failure in adults: percentage of adult patients with a primary diagnosis of heart failure discharged home with written instructions or educational material given to the patient or his or her caregiver at discharge or during the hospital stay, addressing all of the following: activity level, diet, discharge medications, follow-up appointment, weight monitoring, and what to do if symptoms worsen. Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement. 2006 Aug

Heart failure in adults: percentage of adult patients with a primary diagnosis of heart failure who are readmitted for heart failure within 30 days of discharge. Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement. 2006 Aug

Heart failure in adults: percentage of adult patients with a primary diagnosis of heart failure who have LVSD and who do not have a contraindication to taking beta-blockers, who are prescribed beta-blocker therapy at hospital discharge. Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement. 2006 Aug

Heart failure in adults: percentage of adult patients with a primary diagnosis of heart failure who have LVSD and who do not have contraindications to taking both ACEI and ARBs, who are prescribed an ACEI or an ARB at hospital discharge. Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement. 2006 Aug

Heart failure in adults: percentage of adult patients with a primary diagnosis of heart failure who have used tobacco anytime during the year prior to hospital arrival and who are given smoking cessation advice or counseling during the hospital stay or at discharge. Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement. 2006 Aug

Heart failure in adults: percentage of adult patients with a primary diagnosis of heart failure with documentation in the hospital record that LVS function was evaluated before arrival, during hospitalization, or is planned for after discharge. Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement. 2006 Aug

Hypertension diagnosis and treatment. NGC:5388

Hypertension diagnosis and treatment: percentage of patients who have blood pressure less than 140/90 mmHg at the clinic visit. Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement. 2003 Apr

Hypertension diagnosis and treatment: percentage of patients with hypertension presenting in clinic within the last month for whom patient education about modifiable risk factors has been documented in the medical record. Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement. 2003 Apr

Initial management of abnormal cervical cytology (Pap smear) and HPV testing. NGC:5341

Initial management of abnormal cervical cytology (Pap smear) and human papillomavirus (HPV) testing: percentage of adult women diagnosed with initial abnormal cervical cytology of atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS) with high-risk HPV type who have follow-up colposcopy within six months of abnormality identified. Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement. 2003 Apr

Lipid management in adults. NGC:5886

Lipid management in adults: percentage of patients on a lipid lowering medication who have a fasting lipid panel every 3 to 12 months. Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement. 2003 Jul

Lipid management in adults: percentage of patients with diagnosed coronary heart disease (CHD) or CHD equivalent who have had a diet evaluation. Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement. 2003 Jul

Major depression in adults in primary care. NGC:6525

Major depression in adults in primary care: percentage of patients who commit suicide at any time while under depression management with a primary care physician. Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement. 2008 May

Major depression in adults in primary care: percentage of patients who have a depression follow-up contact within three months of initiating treatment. Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement. 2004 May

Major depression in adults in primary care: percentage of patients who have had a response to treatment at six months (+/- 30 days) after initiating treatment i.e., have had a Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) score decreased by 50% from initial score at six months (+/- 30 days). Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement. 2008 May

Major depression in adults in primary care: percentage of patients who have reached remission at six months (+/- 30 days) after initiating treatment, i.e., have any PHQ-9 score less than five after six months (+/- 30 days). Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement. 2008 May

Major depression in adults in primary care: percentage of patients whose symptoms are reassessed by the use of a quantitative symptom assessment tool (such as Patient Health Questionnaire [PHQ-9]) within three months of initiating treatment. Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement. 2004 May

Major depression in adults in primary care: percentage of patients with a new diagnosis of major depression, with documentation of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-IV TR) criteria within the three months prior to initial diagnosis. Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement. 2004 May

Major depression in adults in primary care: percentage of patients with diabetes with documentation of screening for depression. Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement. 2004 May

Management of labor. NGC:5587

Management of labor: percentage of births with amnioinfusion when either of the following is present: thick meconium or repetitive severe variable decelerations or oligohydramnios. Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement. 2002 Oct

Management of labor: percentage of women in the guideline population who have spontaneous rupture of membranes (SROM) or early amniotomy. Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement. 2003 Oct

Management of labor: percentage of women in the guideline population with failure to progress diagnosis who have oxytocin. Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement. 2003 Oct

Management of labor: percentage of women who are assessed for risk status on entry to labor and delivery. Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement. 2002 Oct

Menopause and hormone therapy (HT): collaborative decision-making and management. NGC:5338

Menopause and hormone therapy (HT): collaborative decision-making and management: the percentage of women in menopause who have had a bone mineral density (BMD) measurement a year after cessation of HT. Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement. 2004 Oct

Palliative care. NGC:6526

Palliative care: percentage of adult patients with a progressive, debilitating disease who have a palliative care plan documented in the medical record. Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement. 2008 May

Preoperative evaluation. NGC:6682

Preoperative evaluation: percentage of patients with a preoperative health history and physical examination completed prior to the day of scheduled procedure. Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement. 2003 Sep

Prevention and management of obesity (mature adolescents and adults). NGC:5389

Prevention and management of obesity (mature adolescents and adults): percentage of patients with a documented Body Mass Index (BMI) equal to or greater than 25 who were given education and counsel for weight loss strategies. Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement. 2004 Nov

Preventive services for adults. NGC:6046

Preventive services for adults: percentage of patients with all Level I preventive services on time according to the guideline delivery schedule. Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement. 2003 Sep

Preventive services for children and adolescents. NGC:6047

Preventive services for children and adolescents: the percentage of patients who are on time with recommended immunizations. Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement. 2003 Sep

Routine prenatal care. NGC:6704

Routine prenatal care: percentage of all identified preterm birth (PTB) modifiable risk factors assessed that receive an intervention. Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement. 2005 Aug

Routine prenatal care: percentage of pregnant women who report to have received counseling and education by the 28th week visit. Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement. 2003 Jul

Routine prenatal care: percentage of vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) eligible women who receive general education describing risks and benefits of VBAC (e.g., the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists pamphlet on VBAC). Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement. 2005 Aug

Stable coronary artery disease. NGC:5658

Stable coronary artery disease (CAD): percentage of patients with stable CAD who have aspirin use documented in the medical record. Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement. 2003 Nov

Stable coronary artery disease (CAD): percentage of patients with stable CAD who have had a lipid profile determination at target (less than 100) and measured within the last year. Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement. 2003 Nov

Tobacco use prevention and cessation for adults and mature adolescents. NGC:3731

Tobacco use prevention and cessation for adults and mature adolescents: percentage of patients with documented tobacco use or exposure at the latest visit who also have documentation that their cessation interest was assessed or that they received advice to quit. Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement. 2003 Jul

Tobacco use prevention and cessation for adults and mature adolescents: percentage of patients' charts that either show that there is no tobacco use/exposure or (if a user) that the current use was documented at the most recent clinician visit. Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement. 2003 Jul

Tobacco use prevention and cessation for infants, children and adolescents. NGC:3732

Tobacco use prevention and cessation for infants, children and adolescents: percentage of patients with documented tobacco use or exposure at the latest visit who also have documentation that their cessation interest was assessed or that they received advice to quit. Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement. 2003 Jul

Tobacco use prevention and cessation for infants, children and adolescents: percentage of patients' charts showing either that there is no tobacco use/exposure or (if a user) that the current use was documented at the most recent clinician visit. Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement. 2003 Jul

Uncomplicated urinary tract infection in women. NGC:5173

Uncomplicated urinary tract infection in women: percentage of women reporting satisfaction with their management of uncomplicated urinary tract infection (UTI) (patient survey). Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement. 2002 Nov

Uncomplicated urinary tract infection in women: percentage of women with uncomplicated urinary tract infection (UTI) treated with recommended short course therapy. Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement. 2002 Nov

Uncomplicated urinary tract infection in women: percentage of women with uncomplicated urinary tract infection (UTI) with a urine culture performed at the initial encounter. Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement. 2002 Nov

Venous thromboembolism prophylaxis. NGC:5887

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis: percentage of adult hospitalized patients who are assessed for VTE risk within 24 hours of admission. Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement. 2006 Jun

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis: percentage of hospitalized adult patients who require hospital readmission within 30 days of discharge for conditions related to VTE. Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement. 2006 Jun

Venous thromboembolism. NGC:5885

Venous thromboembolism (VTE): percentage of adult patients receiving heparin therapy for VTE who have a baseline platelet count before starting heparin, and then a platelet count every other day for at least the first 3 days of therapy. Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement. 2006 Feb

Venous thromboembolism (VTE): percentage of adult patients suspected of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) who have leg duplex ultrasound with compression performed despite a low clinical pretest probability and a negative D-dimer test. Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement. 2006 Feb

Venous thromboembolism (VTE): percentage of adult patients treated for VTE who have been assessed for the need for graded compression stockings. Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement. 2006 Feb

Venous thromboembolism (VTE): percentage of adult patients who have a high clinical pretest probability for pulmonary embolism (PE) who received low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) during evaluation. Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement. 2006 Feb

Venous thromboembolism (VTE): percentage of low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH)-eligible patients with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) treated in an outpatient setting. Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement. 2003 Apr

Venous thromboembolism (VTE): percentage of patients diagnosed with VTE who meet the criteria for low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) and for whom LMWH is used. Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement. 2003 Apr

Veterans Health Administration

VA/DoD clinical practice guideline for the management of diabetes mellitus. NGC:3567

Diabetes mellitus: percent of eligible patients with a diagnosis of diabetes mellitus having a nephropathy screening test during the past year or documented evidence of nephropathy. Veterans Health Administration. 2007 Oct

Diabetes mellitus: percent of patients with a diagnosis of diabetes mellitus having HbA1c less than 7. Veterans Health Administration. 2007 Oct

Diabetes mellitus: percent of patients with a diagnosis of diabetes mellitus having HbA1c testing performed during the past year. Veterans Health Administration. 2007 Oct

Diabetes mellitus: percent of patients with diabetes mellitus and blood pressure less than 130/80 mm Hg. Veterans Health Administration. 2007 Oct

Diabetes mellitus: percent of patients with diabetes mellitus having full lipid panel in the past year. Veterans Health Administration. 2007 Oct

VA/DoD clinical practice guideline for the management of tobacco use. NGC:3962

Smoking cessation: percent of patients using tobacco who have been offered a referral to smoking cessation specialty program to assist with cessation within the past year. Veterans Health Administration. 2007 Oct