CMS adds measures to Dialysis Facility Compare, updates star rating methodology

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is adding the following two quality measures to Dialysis Facility Compare:

The standardized infection ratio, which is a ratio of the number of bloodstream infections that are observed at a facility versus the number of bloodstream infections that are predicted for that facility, based on national baseline data.

The pediatric peritoneal dialysis Kt/V measure, which shows the percent of eligible pediatric peritoneal dialysis patients at the facility who had enough waste removed from their blood during dialysis.

The agency is also modifying the methodology for calculating dialysis facility star ratings based on recommendations from a 2015 Technical Expert Panel.

The updated methodology for calculating star ratings:

Establishes a baseline to show improvement by taking into account year-to-year changes in facility performance on the quality measures compared to performance standards set in a baseline year. Star ratings will reflect if a facility improves (or declines) in performance over time.

Limits the impact of a few very low scores by applying a statistical method called truncated z-scores to percentage measures. This ensures that star ratings are not determined by extreme outlier performance on a single measure, CMS said.

The Standardized Mortality Ratio, Standardized hospitalization Ratio, Standardized Transfusion Ratio, and Standardized Readmission Ratio will now be reflected as rates to display them more clearly.

CMS also added patient experience ratings to Dialysis Facility Compare. -by Rebecca Zumoff