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Audit Expert Advisory Panel Proposed Roster (PDF)
Background
Improving the safety of healthcare delivery saves lives, helps avoid unnecessary complications, and increases confidence that receiving medical care actually makes patients better, not worse. The Safe Practices for Better Healthcare – 2010 Update contains 34 practices intended to help reduce the occurrence of adverse healthcare events. On Jan. 9, 2014, The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced a $40.1 million settlement with CareFusion Corp., based, in part, on its relationship with a former NQF committee co-chair, Dr. Charles Denham. The settlement resolves allegations that Dr. Denham accepted $11.6 million from CareFusion to promote one of its products while he co-chaired the NQF Safe Practices Committee (2006, 2009 and 2010). In response to these developments, the National Quality Forum has proactively initiated a rapid audit of the 2010 safe practices. The 2010 Safe Practices Audit process will consist of the following steps:
- NQF will convene an Expert Advisory Panel of safety experts, including representatives of the 2010 Safe Practices Maintenance Steering Committee and key federal agencies.
- NQF staff will review practice statements and specifications for each Safe Practice to ensure that underlying evidence/support for the practices is current and directly relevant. Safe practice statements and specifications without sufficient evidence will be highlighted for the expert Advisory Panel. If experts cannot identify relevant, high quality evidence, the applicable sections will be recommended for removal.
- NQF staff will work with panel members for additional needed updates, final review and approval of the audited Safe Practices prior to public comment.
Further, please note. While an ad hoc review removed the specific preparation from the surgical site infection safe practice (Safe Practice 22) before the report was finalized in 2010, the specific preparation included in the central line associated blood stream infection practice (Safe Practice 21) was inadvertently retained. Per the CDC guidelines, this preparation is effective and not harmful to patients, although CDC also found that other preparations are equally as good. All safe practices and related specifications will be re-examined by the patient safety expert audit committee and updated as necessary.
The audited Safe Practices report was reviewed and approved for final ratification by the NQF Board Executive Committee on May 23.