42 USC 299 - Health care delivery system research

Collapse to view only § 299b-33. Health care delivery system research

§ 299b-33. Health care delivery system research
§ 299b-34. Quality improvement technical assistance and implementation
§ 299b-35. Grants or contracts to implement medication management services in treatment of chronic diseases
§ 299b-36. Program to facilitate shared decisionmaking
§ 299b-37. Dissemination and building capacity for research

§ 299b–33. Health care delivery system research

(a) PurposeThe purposes of this section are to—

(1) enable the Director to identify, develop, evaluate, disseminate, and provide training in innovative methodologies and strategies for quality improvement practices in the delivery of health care services that represent best practices (referred to as “best practices”) in health care quality, safety, and value; and

(2) ensure that the Director is accountable for implementing a model to pursue such research in a collaborative manner with other related Federal agencies.

(b) General functions of the CenterThe Center for Quality Improvement and Patient Safety of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (referred to in this section as the “Center”), or any other relevant agency or department designated by the Director, shall—

(1) carry out its functions using research from a variety of disciplines, which may include epidemiology, health services, sociology, psychology, human factors engineering, biostatistics, health economics, clinical research, and health informatics;

(2) conduct or support activities consistent with the purposes described in subsection (a), and for—

(A) best practices for quality improvement practices in the delivery of health care services; and

(B) that include changes in processes of care and the redesign of systems used by providers that will reliably result in intended health outcomes, improve patient safety, and reduce medical errors (such as skill development for health care providers in team-based health care delivery and rapid cycle process improvement) and facilitate adoption of improved workflow;

(3) identify health care providers, including health care systems, single institutions, and individual providers, that—

(A) deliver consistently high-quality, efficient health care services (as determined by the Secretary); and

(B) employ best practices that are adaptable and scalable to diverse health care settings or effective in improving care across diverse settings;

(4) assess research, evidence, and knowledge about what strategies and methodologies are most effective in improving health care delivery;

(5) find ways to translate such information rapidly and effectively into practice, and document the sustainability of those improvements;

(6) create strategies for quality improvement through the development of tools, methodologies, and interventions that can successfully reduce variations in the delivery of health care;

(7) identify, measure, and improve organizational, human, or other causative factors, including those related to the culture and system design of a health care organization, that contribute to the success and sustainability of specific quality improvement and patient safety strategies;

(8) provide for the development of best practices in the delivery of health care services that—

(A) have a high likelihood of success, based on structured review of empirical evidence;

(B) are specified with sufficient detail of the individual processes, steps, training, skills, and knowledge required for implementation and incorporation into workflow of health care practitioners in a variety of settings;

(D) where applicable, assist health care providers in working with other health care providers across the continuum of care and in engaging patients and their families in improving the care and patient health outcomes;

(9) provide for the funding of the activities of organizations with recognized expertise and excellence in improving the delivery of health care services, including children’s health care, by involving multiple disciplines, managers of health care entities, broad development and training, patients, caregivers and families, and frontline health care workers, including activities for the examination of strategies to share best quality improvement practices and to promote excellence in the delivery of health care services; and

(10) build capacity at the State and community level to lead quality and safety efforts through education, training, and mentoring programs to carry out the activities under paragraphs (1) through (9).

(1) In general

(2) Research requirementsThe research conducted pursuant to paragraph (1) shall—

(A) address the priorities identified by the Secretary in the national strategic plan established under section 280j of this title;

(B) identify areas in which evidence is insufficient to identify strategies and methodologies, taking into consideration areas of insufficient evidence identified by the entity with a contract under section 1395aaa(a) of this title in the report required under ;

(C) address concerns identified by health care institutions and providers and communicated through the Center pursuant to subsection (d);

(D) reduce preventable morbidity, mortality, and associated costs of morbidity and mortality by building capacity for patient safety research;

(E) support the discovery of processes for the reliable, safe, efficient, and responsive delivery of health care, taking into account discoveries from clinical research and comparative effectiveness research;

(F) allow communication of research findings and translate evidence into practice recommendations that are adaptable to a variety of settings, and which, as soon as practicable after the establishment of the Center, shall include—

(i) the implementation of a national application of Intensive Care Unit improvement projects relating to the adult (including geriatric), pediatric, and neonatal patient populations;

(ii) practical methods for addressing health care associated infections, including Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus and Vancomycin-Resistant Entercoccus infections and other emerging infections; and

(iii) practical methods for reducing preventable hospital admissions and readmissions;

(G) expand demonstration projects for improving the quality of children’s health care and the use of health information technology, such as through Pediatric Quality Improvement Collaboratives and Learning Networks, consistent with provisions of section 1320b–9a of this title for assessing and improving quality, where applicable;

(H) identify and mitigate hazards by—

(i) analyzing events reported to patient safety reporting systems and patient safety organizations; and

(ii) using the results of such analyses to develop scientific methods of response to such events;

(I) include the conduct of systematic reviews of existing practices that improve the quality, safety, and efficiency of health care delivery, as well as new research on improving such practices; and

(J) include the examination of how to measure and evaluate the progress of quality and patient safety activities.

(d) Dissemination of research findings

(1) Public availability

(2) Linkage to health information technology

(e) PrioritizationThe Director shall identify and regularly update a list of processes or systems on which to focus research and dissemination activities of the Center, taking into account—

(1) the cost to Federal health programs;

(2) consumer assessment of health care experience;

(3) provider assessment of such processes or systems and opportunities to minimize distress and injury to the health care workforce;

(4) the potential impact of such processes or systems on health status and function of patients, including vulnerable populations including children;

(5) the areas of insufficient evidence identified under subsection (c)(2)(B); and

(6) the evolution of meaningful use of health information technology, as defined in section 300jj of this title.

(f) Coordination

(g) Funding

(July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title IX, § 933, as added Pub. L. 111–148, title III, § 3501, Mar. 23, 2010, 124 Stat. 508.)

§ 299b–34. Quality improvement technical assistance and implementation

(a) In generalThe Director, through the Center for Quality Improvement and Patient Safety of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (referred to in this section as the “Center”), shall award—

(1) technical assistance grants or contracts to eligible entities to provide technical support to institutions that deliver health care and health care providers (including rural and urban providers of services and suppliers with limited infrastructure and financial resources to implement and support quality improvement activities, providers of services and suppliers with poor performance scores, and providers of services and suppliers for which there are disparities in care among subgroups of patients) so that such institutions and providers understand, adapt, and implement the models and practices identified in the research conducted by the Center, including the Quality Improvement Networks Research Program; and

(2) implementation grants or contracts to eligible entities to implement the models and practices described under paragraph (1).

(b) Eligible entities

(1) Technical assistance awardTo be eligible to receive a technical assistance grant or contract under subsection (a)(1), an entity—

(A) may be a health care provider, health care provider association, professional society, health care worker organization, Indian health organization, quality improvement organization, patient safety organization, local quality improvement collaborative, the Joint Commission, academic health center, university, physician-based research network, primary care extension program established under section 280g–12 of this title, a Federal Indian Health Service program or a health program operated by an Indian tribe (as defined in section 1603 of title 25), or any other entity identified by the Secretary; and

(B) shall have demonstrated expertise in providing information and technical support and assistance to health care providers regarding quality improvement.

(2) Implementation awardTo be eligible to receive an implementation grant or contract under subsection (a)(2), an entity—

(A) may be a hospital or other health care provider or consortium or 1

1 So in original. Probably should be “of”.

providers, as determined by the Secretary; and

(B) shall have demonstrated expertise in providing information and technical support and assistance to health care providers regarding quality improvement.

(1) Technical assistance awardTo receive a technical assistance grant or contract under subsection (a)(1), an eligible entity shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing—

(A) a plan for a sustainable business model that may include a system of—

(i) charging fees to institutions and providers that receive technical support from the entity; and

(ii) reducing or eliminating such fees for such institutions and providers that serve low-income populations; and

(B) such other information as the Director may require.

(2) Implementation awardTo receive a grant or contract under subsection (a)(2), an eligible entity shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing—

(A) a plan for implementation of a model or practice identified in the research conducted by the Center including—

(i) financial cost, staffing requirements, and timeline 2

2 So in original. Probably should be “a timeline”.

for implementation; and

(ii) pre- and projected post-implementation quality measure performance data in targeted improvement areas identified by the Secretary; and

(B) such other information as the Director may require.

(d) Matching funds

(e) Evaluation

(1) In generalThe Director shall evaluate the performance of each entity that receives a grant or contract under this section. The evaluation of an entity shall include a study of—

(A) the success of such entity in achieving the implementation, by the health care institutions and providers assisted by such entity, of the models and practices identified in the research conducted by the Center under section 299b–33 of this title;

(B) the perception of the health care institutions and providers assisted by such entity regarding the value of the entity; and

(C) where practicable, better patient health outcomes and lower cost resulting from the assistance provided by such entity.

(2) Effect of evaluation

(f) Coordination

(July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title IX, § 934, as added and amended Pub. L. 111–148, title III, § 3501, title X, § 10501(f)(3), Mar. 23, 2010, 124 Stat. 511, 996.)

§ 299b–35. Grants or contracts to implement medication management services in treatment of chronic diseases

(a) In general

(b) Eligible entities

To be eligible to receive a grant or contract under subsection (a), an entity shall—

(1) provide a setting appropriate for MTM services, as recommended by the experts described in subsection (e);

(2) submit to the Secretary a plan for achieving long-term financial sustainability;

(3) where applicable, submit a plan for coordinating MTM services through local community health teams established in section 256a–1 of this title or in collaboration with primary care extension programs established in section 280g–12 of this title;

(4) submit a plan for meeting the requirements under subsection (c); and

(5) submit to the Secretary such other information as the Secretary may require.

The MTM services provided with the assistance of a grant or contract awarded under subsection (a) shall, as allowed by State law including applicable collaborative pharmacy practice agreements, include—

(1) performing or obtaining necessary assessments of the health and functional status of each patient receiving such MTM services;

(2) formulating a medication treatment plan according to therapeutic goals agreed upon by the prescriber and the patient or caregiver or authorized representative of the patient;

(3) selecting, initiating, modifying, recommending changes to, or administering medication therapy;

(4) monitoring, which may include access to, ordering, or performing laboratory assessments, and evaluating the response of the patient to therapy, including safety and effectiveness;

(5) performing an initial comprehensive medication review to identify, resolve, and prevent medication-related problems, including adverse drug events, quarterly targeted medication reviews for ongoing monitoring, and additional followup interventions on a schedule developed collaboratively with the prescriber;

(6) documenting the care delivered and communicating essential information about such care, including a summary of the medication review, and the recommendations of the pharmacist to other appropriate health care providers of the patient in a timely fashion;

(7) providing education and training designed to enhance the understanding and appropriate use of the medications by the patient, caregiver, and other authorized representative;

(8) providing information, support services, and resources and strategies designed to enhance patient adherence with therapeutic regimens;

(9) coordinating and integrating MTM services within the broader health care management services provided to the patient; and

(10) such other patient care services allowed under pharmacist scopes of practice in use in other Federal programs that have implemented MTM services.

(d) Targeted individuals

MTM services provided by licensed pharmacists under a grant or contract awarded under subsection (a) shall be offered to targeted individuals who—

(1) take 4 or more prescribed medications (including over-the-counter medications and dietary supplements);

(2) take any “high risk” medications;

(3) have 2 or more chronic diseases, as identified by the Secretary; or

(4) have undergone a transition of care, or other factors, as determined by the Secretary, that are likely to create a high risk of medication-related problems.

(e) Consultation with experts

(f) Reporting to the Secretary

(g) Evaluation and report

The Secretary shall submit to the relevant committees of Congress a report which shall—

(1) assess the clinical effectiveness of pharmacist-provided services under the MTM services program, as compared to usual care, including an evaluation of whether enrollees maintained better health with fewer hospitalizations and emergency room visits than similar patients not enrolled in the program;

(2) assess changes in overall health care resource use by targeted individuals;

(3) assess patient and prescriber satisfaction with MTM services;

(4) assess the impact of patient-cost sharing requirements on medication adherence and recommendations for modifications;

(5) identify and evaluate other factors that may impact clinical and economic outcomes, including demographic characteristics, clinical characteristics, and health services use of the patient, as well as characteristics of the regimen, pharmacy benefit, and MTM services provided; and

(6) evaluate the extent to which participating pharmacists who maintain a dispensing role have a conflict of interest in the provision of MTM services, and if such conflict is found, provide recommendations on how such a conflict might be appropriately addressed.

(h) Grants or contracts to fund development of performance measures

(July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title IX, § 935, as added and amended Pub. L. 111–148, title III, § 3503, title X, § 10501(f)(4), Mar. 23, 2010, 124 Stat. 516, 996.)

§ 299b–36. Program to facilitate shared decisionmaking

(a) Purpose

(b) Definitions

In this section:

(1) Patient decision aid

(2) Preference sensitive care

(1) Contract with entity to establish standards and certify patient decision aids

(A) In general

(B) Timing for first contract

(2) Duties

The following duties are described in this paragraph:

(A) Develop and identify standards for patient decision aids

(B) Endorse patient decision aids

(d) Program to develop, update and produce patient decision aids to assist health care providers and patients

(1) In general

The Secretary, acting through the Director, and in coordination with heads of other relevant agencies, such as the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Director of the National Institutes of Health, shall establish a program to award grants or contracts—

(A) to develop, update, and produce patient decision aids for preference sensitive care to assist health care providers in educating patients, caregivers, and authorized representatives concerning the relative safety, relative effectiveness (including possible health outcomes and impact on functional status), and relative cost of treatment or, where appropriate, palliative care options;

(B) to test such materials to ensure such materials are balanced and evidence based in aiding health care providers and patients, caregivers, and authorized representatives to make informed decisions about patient care and can be easily incorporated into a broad array of practice settings; and

(2) Requirements for patient decision aids

Patient decision aids developed and produced pursuant to a grant or contract under paragraph (1)—

(A) shall be designed to engage patients, caregivers, and authorized representatives in informed decisionmaking with health care providers;

(B) shall present up-to-date clinical evidence about the risks and benefits of treatment options in a form and manner that is age-appropriate and can be adapted for patients, caregivers, and authorized representatives from a variety of cultural and educational backgrounds to reflect the varying needs of consumers and diverse levels of health literacy;

(D) shall address health care decisions across the age span, including those affecting vulnerable populations including children.

(3) Distribution

(4) Nonduplication of efforts

(e) Grants to support shared decisionmaking implementation

(1) In general

(2) Shared decisionmaking resource centers

(A) In general

(B) Objectives

The objective of a Center is to enhance and promote the adoption of patient decision aids and shared decisionmaking through—

(i) providing assistance to eligible providers with the implementation and effective use of, and training on, patient decision aids; and

(ii) the dissemination of best practices and research on the implementation and effective use of patient decision aids.

(3) Shared decisionmaking participation grants

(A) In general

(B) Preference

(4) Guidance

(f) Funding

(July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title IX, § 936, as added Pub. L. 111–148, title III, § 3506, Mar. 23, 2010, 124 Stat. 527.)

§ 299b–37. Dissemination and building capacity for research

(a) In general

(1) Dissemination

(2) Requirements

The Office shall provide for the dissemination of the Institute’s research findings and government-funded research relevant to comparative clinical effectiveness research to physicians, health care providers, patients, vendors of health information technology focused on clinical decision support, appropriate professional associations, and Federal and private health plans. Materials, forums, and media used to disseminate the findings, informational tools, and resource databases shall—

(A) include a description of considerations for specific subpopulations, the research methodology, and the limitations of the research, and the names of the entities, agencies, instrumentalities, and individuals who conducted any research which was published by the Institute; and

(B) not be construed as mandates, guidelines, or recommendations for payment, coverage, or treatment.

(b) Incorporation of research findings

(d) Rule of construction

(e) Training of researchers

(f) Building data for research

(g) Authority to contract with the Institute

(July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title IX, § 937, as added Pub. L. 111–148, title VI, § 6301(b), Mar. 23, 2010, 124 Stat. 738.)