New AHRQ Common Formats: Now Available for Review and Comment

New AHRQ Common Formats: Now Available for Review and Comment

AHRQ has developed new Common Formats for two settings/purposes that are now available for review and comment: 1) Common Formats for retail pharmacies, and 2) Common Formats for the healthcare associated infection (HAI) module for AHRQ’s new surveillance system, Quality and Safety Review System (QSRS).

In 2014, representatives from U.S. retail pharmacies approached the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) regarding collaboration to develop Common Formats for the retail pharmacy setting. Work on the new Formats began using the existing AHRQ Common Formats Medication module, from the AHRQ Common Formats for Event Reporting – Hospital, as a starting point. AHRQ, in conjunction with retail pharmacy representatives, designed Common Formats for Retail Pharmacy for use in U.S. retail pharmacies. These formats will facilitate improved detection and understanding of medication-related events originating in pharmacies and, if implemented as specified, will allow aggregation of medication-related data across different pharmacy providers.

Common Formats addressing all QSRS modules – except for those for HAIs – were made available for comment in 2014. During the intervening time, AHRQ was able to consult with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in order to refine the HAI module.

The Agency has contracted with the National Quality Forum (NQF) to assist with gathering and analyzing feedback on these new Common Formats. To view the HAI module for Quality and Safety Review System and Common Formats for Retail Pharmacy and post comments on them through the NQF tool, please go to the NQF Web site at: http://www.qualityforum.org/Project_Pages/Common_Formats_for_Patient_Safety_Data.aspx

AHRQ appreciates the time and effort that individuals invest in providing comments. AHRQ will review and consider all feedback received to help guide the development of a revised version of Common Formats for Retail Pharmacy.

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