Comprehensive Diabetes Care: Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) Control (

INACTIVE REVIEW: This measure review is older than five years.

The percentage of members 18-75 years of age with diabetes (type 1 and type 2) whose most recent HbA1c level is <8.0% during the measurement year.

Date Reviewed: April 27, 2015
Do Not Support
    Health Plan Integrated Delivery System

Measure Info

NQF 0575 NQF Endorsed
Measure Type
Outcome
Measure Steward
National Committee for Quality Assurance
Clinical Topic Area
Diabetes
Care Setting
Outpatient
Data Source
Claims
Electronic Health Data
Electronic Health Records
Paper Medical Records

ACP does not support NQF 0575: “Comprehensive Diabetes Care: Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) Control (<8.0%).” The current evidence shows that although lower blood glucose levels improves patient outcomes, the harms of hypoglycemia are also important and should be considered. In addition, independent patient variables (such as diet, ability to pay for medications, medication compliance, and patient preference) make it difficult for physicians to have complete control over HbA1c levels. Additionally, for this measure, the denominator exclusions are imprecise and could promote over treatment, particularly for those at high risk of hypoglycemia (patients with dementia and chronic kidney disease, among others). Denominator exclusions should specifically include: 1) patients with dementia, 2) patients with chronic kidney disease and 3) patients with limited life expectancy where the interventions have the potential to cause more harms than benefit.