| Chair | Laura C. Feemster, MSc, MD | Seattle, WA |
| Vice Chair | Katie Artis, MD, MPH | Portland, OR |
| Committee Member | Amik Sodhi, MBBS, ATSF | Fitchburg, WI |
| Committee Member | Barbara E. Jones, MD, MSc | Salt Lake City, UT |
| Committee Member | Carolyn L. Rochester, MD | New Haven, CT |
| Committee Member | Dana P. Albon, MD | Charlottesville, VA |
| Committee Member | Hira Bakhtiar, MD | Wilton, CT |
| Committee Member | Isaretta L. Riley, MD, MPH | Durham, NC |
| Committee Member | Layla Sankari, MD | Cleveland, OH |
| Committee Member - Immediate Past Chair | Mark L. Metersky, MD | Farmington, CT |
| Committee Member | Rana B. Hejal, MD | Cleveland, OH |
| Committee Member | Robert M. Burkes, MD, MS | Cincinnati, OH |
| Committee Member | Scott A. Helgeson, MD, MS | Jacksonville, FL |
| Committee Member | Shewit Giovanni, MD, MSCE | Portland, OR |
| Committee Member | Valerie G. Press, MD, MPH, ATSF | Chicago, IL |
| Observer - Senior Advisor (Emeritus) | Brian W. Carlin, MD | Sewickley, PA |
| Observer - Senior Advisor (Emeritus) | Robert C. Stansbury, MD, ATSF, FAASM | Morgantown, WV |
| Staff | Joseph Ruminjo | New York, NY |
The Quality Improvement and Implementation Committee serves as a resource for the ATS regarding quality and performance improvement and measurement. It seeks to ensure that ATS is involved in these activities in a way that creates value for ATS members and advances the practice of quality improvement in the fields of pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine. The function of this Committee has additional significance as the new health care legislation takes effect and quality and performance standards are put forward that affect ATS members. Its scope broadly includes identification and recommendations relating to safety, efficacy, and cost-effectiveness of health care delivery. It provides recommendations concerning how quality standards should be implemented in the care setting and performance measures. The Committee evaluates existing quality standards related to Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, examines existing practice guidelines to identify potentially new standards for quality practice, and identifies the need for new guidelines. Its ultimate goal is to improve the outcomes of care through improvements in clinical practice. This committee considers opportunities for ATS participation in performance improvement movements in order to advance the quality and science behind performance improvement and provide a service to ATS members, patients, and the public in this area. The Committee helps ATS take a leading role in relevant quality improvement research through independent and collaborative research programs and support of the science of quality improvement research and value-based incentives.
Benchmarks, 2023-2024:
• Collaborate with Pulmonary Rehab assembly to continue development of the COPD/Pulmonary Rehab Measure.
• Collaborate with appropriate assemblies to continue development of a lung-protective volume ventilation quality measure.
• Collect, analyze and report on data submitted to CMS regarding the two quality measures of which ATS is a steward. COPD measure 0091 spirometry evaluation and COPD measure 0102 inhaled bronchodilator therapy. The 3-year review to CMS is scheduled for Fall 2022, and Spring 2023 which will require a majority of the committees time and attention. Develop and execute a plan to collect and analyze data for gap analysis on spirometry measure (0091) prior to next scheduled NQF measure maintenance. Collaborate with QMMS to update long-acting bronchodilator measure to be more consistent with current evidence and include a criteria for spirometry to be performed. Develop an internal toolkit to document process of measure development and maintenance based on prior experience.
• Monitor, review and comment on quality measures proposed for the Medicare program
• Working with DDIC, continue to provide input on all ATS clinical guidelines prior to completion on potential performance measures.
• Provide expert support for to the Vaccine Initiative Working Group
• Nominate a diverse slate of candidates for ATS Respiratory Health Awards.
• This committee is responsible for reviewing content it has previously posted to the ATS website to determine if it should be updated and moved to the new site or archived/deleted. Using parameters established by the ATS Digital Content Committee as a guideline, committee members will make necessary modifications to ensure the content is accurate and conforms with established ATS standards. Reviews are to be completed by December 1, 2023.
