Building the Future of Infectious Diseases: A Call to Action for Quality Improvement Research and Measurement.

Abstract

Quality is central to value-based care, and measurement is essential for assessing performance and understanding improvement over time. Both value-based care and methods for quality measurement are evolving. Infectious diseases (ID) has been less engaged than other specialties in quality measure development, and ID providers must seize the opportunity to engage with quality measure development and research. Antimicrobial stewardship programs are an ideal starting point for ID-related quality measure development; antimicrobial stewardship program interventions and best practices are ID specific, measurable, and effective, yet they are grossly undercompensated. Herein, we provide a scheme for prioritizing research focused on development of ID-specific quality measures. Maturation of quality measurement research in ID, beginning with an initial focus on stewardship-related conditions and then expanding to non-stewardship topics, will allow ID to take control of its future in value-based care and promote the growth of ID through greater recognition of its value.