Skip to Main Content

U.S. flag
Health and Human Services Logo

An official website of the Department of Health & Human Services

  • Careers
  • Contact Us
  • Español
  • FAQs
  • Email Updates
AHRQ--Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality: Advancing Excellence in Health Care
AHRQ Quality Indicators Logo
  • Home
    • Welcome
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
  • Measures
    • QI Resources
    • PQI Resources
    • IQI Resources
    • PSI Resources
    • PDI Resources
    • All Measures
  • Software
    • QI Software
    • SAS QI®
    • WinQI
  • News
  • Resources
    • Webinars
    • Case Studies
    • Presentations
    • Publications
    • Toolkits
  • FAQs
  • Archives
    • QI Modules
    • Software
    • News
    • Resources
  • QI Resources
  • PQI Resources
  • IQI Resources
  • PSI Resources
  • PDI Resources
  • All Measures

Quality Indicator Resources

AHRQ QI Methodology
QI Reporting/User Tips
AHRQ QI Life Cycle
  • AHRQ Quality Indicator Empirical Methods, July 2020

    Describes the empirical methods used to calculate AHRQ QIs. - New!


    View
  • Improving the AHRQ Quality Indicators , December 2014

    Summary of findings and recommendations for improving the methodological approach of the AHRQ Quality Indicators.

    NOTE: Persons using assistive technology may not be able to fully access information in this document. For assistance contact the Quality Indicators support at (301) 427-1949 or by email at: QIsupport@ahrq.hhs.gov

    View
  • AHRQ ICD-10-CM/PCS Conversion Project , Nov 2013

    Documents the process and status of converting AHRQ QIs from ICD-9-CM to ICD-10-CM/PCS.

    View
  • ICD-9-CM to ICD-10-CM/PCS Conversion of AHRQ Quality Indicators , March 2011

    Background information on the transition from ICD-9-CM to ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS for HIPAA transactions

    View
  • AHRQ RAHM Workgroup Technical Report

    Describes the data structure, statistical models, and tools used in the AHRQ QI Project and proposes alternative statistical models and methods for consideration

    View
  • Calculating Standard Errors and Confidence Intervals for the AHRQ Quality Indicators

    View
  • The Markov Chain Monte Carlo Integration Approximation in the AHRQ QI Prediction Module Closely Matches Exact Integration Results, Posted February 19, 2014

    Summarizes testing on prediction models.

    View
  • Guidance on Using the AHRQ QIs for Hospital-Level Comparative Reporting , June 2009

    Guidance on use for public reporting and payment initiatives including analysis of each indicator’s appropriateness and reporting templates.

    View
  • Summary Statement on Comparative Hospital Public Reporting

    How public reporting of hospital quality performance data and advances the quality improvement agenda in health care.

    View
  • AHRQ QI Model Report

    Templates for reporting comparative hospital performance information

    View AHRQ QI Model Report View Composite Model Report View Health Topic Model Report

AHRQ QIs for Home and Community Based Services (HCBS)

This set of indicators reflect the health and well-being of beneficiaries receiving home and community-based services (HCBS) through state Medicaid programs. They focus on potentially preventable hospitalizations. For additional information on the development of the HCBS QIs, view the resources below:

  • Literature Review

    Provides guidance for using AHRQ QIs for public reporting and payment initiatives; includes analysis of each indicator to determine their appropriateness for use in comparative reporting and comparative reporting templates based on input from consumers, providers, experts in the field of public reporting, and others.

    View
  • Expert Panels

    Summarizes HCBS panel comments on the validity of the HCBS indictors as a set, factors that panelists believe might impact hospitalizations for the indicator conditions or events in the HCBS populations and panelists' comments and concerns about each indicator.

    View

Life Cycle of the AHRQ QIs

Developing the Indicators

The AHRQ QI measure development process involves four phases.

Phase 1: Candidate Indicator Development
  • Identify candidate indicators within areas of interest.
  • Review literature.
  • Finalize specifications.
  • Summarize evidence.
Phase 4: Retire Indicators
  • Review evidence on the use of the indicator and determine that retirement is needed.
  • Remove coding from software and user documentation.
AHRQ QI Lifecycle Image
Phase 2: Implement New Indicator
  • Code the new indicator into the software.
  • Test the new indicator.
  • Develop user documentation.
Phase 3: Maintain Existing Indicators
  • Review evidence on the use of the indicator.
  • Update technical specifications.
  • Periodic review by clinical panels.
  • Consider new data and methodological advances.

These phases and processes sometimes may require modifications to meet the needs of indicator development in new areas. For a more in-depth explanation, see the reports below.

  • Measure Development Report

    Summary Report

    Quality Indicator Measure Development, Implementation, Maintenance and Retirement Summary Report, January 2011

    View

    Full Report

    Quality Indicator Measure Development, Implementation, Maintenance and Retirement Full Report, January 2011

    View
  • Retired Measures

    Retirement Announcements

    May 23, 2019 - 21 indicators retired in v2019: PQI, IQI, PSI and PDI Indicators

    September 22, 2017 - AHRQ announces the retirement of indicators in v7.0: IQI Area Level, IQI Hospital Level and PSI Area Level & Hospital Level Indicators.

  • National Quality Forum

    The National Quality Forum (NQF) is an independent, voluntary, consensus-based member organization that endorses standardized quality measures. See which AHRQ QIs are currently endorsed by NQF.

    View
Back to Top Go back to top

Connect With Us

Facebook Twitter You Tube LinkedIn

Sign up for Email Updates

To sign up for updates or to access your subscriber preferences, please enter your email address below.

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

5600 Fishers Lane
Rockville, MD 20857
Telephone: (301) 427-1364

  • Careers
  • Contact Us
  • Español
  • FAQs
  • Accessibility
  • Disclaimers
  • EEO
  • Electronic Policies
  • FOIA
  • HHS Digital Strategy
  • HHS Nondiscrimination Notice
  • Inspector General
  • Plain Writing Act
  • Privacy Policy
  • Viewers & Players
  • U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
  • The White House
  • USA.gov
[ ]