

{:toc}

{: .stu-note}
>  This implementation guide is the Universal Realm successor of the US-based [Quality Measure IG STU 5](http://hl7.org/fhir/us/cqfmeasures), and incorporates stakeholder feedback and implementation experience from that specification. 

## Quality Measure Implementation Guide
{: #quality-measure-implementation-guide}

### Summary
{: #summary}

The Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resource (FHIR) Quality Measure Implementation Guide (QM IG) describes an approach to representing Quality Measures (QMs) using the FHIR Clinical Reasoning Module and Clinical Quality Language (CQL) in the Universal Realm.
The initial approach to quality measures focused on using the FHIR Clinical Reasoning Module and Clinical Quality Language (CQL) within the US Realm.  Adoption of this IG to use cases outside of US is simplified as a universal realm IG.

This IG is built on [FHIR Version R4](http://hl7.org/fhir/R4/index.html) and accounts for content in previous generations of QM standards, the HL7 V3-based Health Quality Measure Format (HQMF) and accompanying implementation guides using FHIR. As an HL7 FHIR Implementation Guide, changes to this specification are managed by the sponsoring Clinical Quality Information Work Group and are incorporated as part of the standard balloting process.

#### Examples
{: #examples}

Refer to the [QI-Core implementation guide](http://hl7.org/fhir/us/qicore) for examples of how to represent data involved in calculation of quality measures.

### How to Read this Guide
{: #how-to-read-this-guide}

This Guide is divided into several pages which are listed at the top of each
page in the menu bar:

-  **[Home](index.html)**: The home page provides the summary and background information for the FHIR Quality Measure Implementation Guide.
-  **[Introduction](introduction.html)**: The introduction provides a more detailed overview of quality measurement and the background for this guide.
-  **[QMs](measure-conformance.html)**: This page describes measure representation and conformance requirements for QMs.
-  **[Using CQL](using-cql.html)**: This page covers using Clinical Quality Language to author QMs.
-  **[Composites](composite-measures.html)**: This page covers composite measure representation and conformance requirements.
-  **[Packaging](packaging.html)**: This page describes measure packaging and distribution requirements for QMs.
- **FHIR Artifacts**
  - **[Profiles](profiles.html)**: This page lists the set of profiles defined for use by QMs.
  - **[Terminology](terminology.html)**: This page lists value sets and code systems defined in this IG.
  - **[Capabilities](capabilities.html)**: This page defines the workflows and roles for QMs and contains the capability statements.
  - **[Operations](operations.html)**: This page defines services and operations in support of authoring, publishing, and distributing QMs.
  - **[Artifacts Summary](artifacts.html)**: This page defines the workflows and roles for QMs and contains the capability statements.
-  **[Examples](examples.html)**: This page provides examples used in the other pages, as well as by the Data Exchange for Quality.
-  **[Glossary](glossary.html)** This page defines terms related to quality measurement.
-  **[Downloads](downloads.html)**: This page provides links to downloadable artifacts for implementations.
-  **[Changes](changes.html)**: This page details changes made in each version of the Quality Measure IG.

### Background
{: #background}

<!-- Quality Improvement Ecosystem -->
{% include quality-improvement-ecosystem.md %}

<!-- Quality Measurement Standards Landscape -->
{% include quality-measurement-standards-landscape.md %}

<!-- Data Model Standards Landscape -->
{% include data-model-standards-landscape.md %}

### References
{: #references}

Centers for Medicare &amp; Medicaid. Clinical Quality Measures Basics. [Online]. Available from: [https://www.cms.gov/Regulations-and-Guidance/Legislation/EHRIncentivePrograms/ClinicalQualityMeasures.html](https://www.cms.gov/Regulations-and-Guidance/Legislation/EHRIncentivePrograms/ClinicalQualityMeasures.html) [Accessed 11 October 2019].

Michaels, M. (2023). Adapting Clinical Guidelines for the Digital Age: Summary of a Holistic and Multidisciplinary approach. American Journal of Medical Quality, 38(5S), S3–S11. https://doi.org/10.1097/jmq.0000000000000138

Health level seven. Clinical Quality Framework - HL7 Clinical Quality Information Work Group Confluence Page. [Online]. Available from: [https://confluence.hl7.org/display/CQIWC/Clinical Quality Framework](https://confluence.hl7.org/display/CQIWC/Clinical%20Quality%20Framework) [Accessed 11 October 2019].

### Dependencies
The dependency on QI-Core is included for the purposes of example validation only.  In addition, the dependency on VSAC packages is indirect via the QI Core and US Core.  The conformance profiles in this IG do not make use of the value sets in VSAC.

{% include dependency-table-nontech-en.xhtml %}

### IP Statements

{% include ip-statements-en.xhtml %}
