The National Committee for Quality Assurance recently added five new measures to the 2006 edition of its Health Plan Employer Data and Information Set (HEDIS). The online tool is used by U.S. health plans to measure and report on their performance in key areas of clinical care and customer service. The additional measures examine a range of important health issues, including the overuse of antibiotics, proper follow up care for children and seniors taking certain medications, and diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder.

“The right follow up—especially for patients with persistent conditions—can be as important as getting the right care in the first place,” says Greg Pawlson, NCQA executive vice president. “Adjustment and readjustment over time are a critical part of the process because not all patients respond the same way.”

The new measures include:

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