An efficient framework for promoting access to palliative care services is the ESRD QIP. The current QIP is based on attainment of two quality targets, one for anemia and one for dialysis dose. Beginning in 2014, additional quality targets and reporting measures will be incorporated, and more are under consideration. To be included in the QIP, a measure must first be endorsed by the National Quality Forum (NQF), which uses four criteria to evaluate a quality measure: measurement of a high-priority area, scientific acceptability, usability and relevance, and feasibility of collection. The NQF has endorsed several measures relevant to palliative care that could be adapted to the ESRD QIP (Table 2) (32–34).
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Quality Incentive Program