Measure: CMS156
Use of High-Risk Medications in Older Adults
Measure Versions
| eMeasure Code |
Measure Year |
Full Version Number |
Title |
| CMS156v13 |
2025 |
13.2.000 |
Use of High-Risk Medications in Older Adults |
| CMS156v12 |
2024 |
12.0.000 |
Use of High-Risk Medications in Older Adults |
| CMS156v11 |
2023 |
11 |
Use of High-Risk Medications in Older Adults |
| CMS156v10 |
2022 |
10.2.000 |
Use of High-Risk Medications in Older Adults |
| CMS156v9 |
2021 |
9.3.000 |
Use of High-Risk Medications in Older Adults |
| CMS156v8 |
2020 |
8.3.000 |
Use of High-Risk Medications in the Elderly |
| CMS156v7 |
2019 |
7.3.000 |
Use of High-Risk Medications in the Elderly |
| CMS156v6 |
2018 |
6.4.000 |
Use of High-Risk Medications in the Elderly |
| CMS156v5 |
2017 |
5.1.000 |
Use of High-Risk Medications in the Elderly |
Description
Percentage of patients 65 years of age and older who were ordered at least two of the same high-risk medications.
Guidance
The intent of the measure is to assess if the patient has been prescribed at least two of the same high-risk medications on different days.
The intent of the measure is to assess if the reporting provider ordered the high-risk medication(s). If the patient had a high-risk medication previously prescribed by another provider, they would not be counted towards the numerator unless the reporting provider also ordered a high-risk medication for them.
This eCQM is a patient-based measure.
This version of the eCQM uses QDM version 5.5. Please refer to the eCQI resource center (https://ecqi.healthit.gov/qdm) for more information on the QDM.
Patient Group Definitions
| Group |
Description |
Instructions Links |
| Initial Population | Patients 65 years and older who had a visit during the measurement period | Webchart Instructions |
| Denominator | Equals Initial Population | Webchart Instructions |
| Denominator Exclusions | Exclude patients whose hospice care overlaps the measurement period | Webchart Instructions |
| Numerator | Patients with at least two orders for the same high-risk medication on different days during the measurement period | Webchart Instructions |
| Numerator Exclusions | Not Applicable | Webchart Instructions |
| Denominator Exceptions | None | |
Details
| Full eMeasure Code |
eMeasure Identifier |
Measure Year |
Version |
NQF # |
GUID |
| CMS156v9 |
156 |
2021 |
9.3.000 |
Not Applicable |
a3837ff8-1abc-4ba9-800e-fd4e7953adbd |
| Steward |
Developer |
Endorsed By |
| National Committee for Quality Assurance |
National Committee for Quality Assurance |
|
| Scoring Method |
Measure Type |
Stratification |
Risk Adjustment |
| Proportion |
PROCESS |
None |
None |
Rate Aggregation
None
Improvement Notation
Lower score indicates better quality
Rationale
Certain medications (MacKinnon & Hepler, 2003) are associated with increased risk of harm from drug side-effects and drug toxicity and pose a concern for patient safety. There is clinical consensus that these drugs pose increased risks in older adults (Kaufman, Brodin, & Sarafian, 2005). Potentially inappropriate medication use in older adults has been connected to significantly longer hospital stay lengths and increased hospitalization costs (Hagstrom et al., 2015) as well as increased risk of death (Lau et al. 2004).
Older adults receiving inappropriate medications are more likely to report poorer health status at follow-up, compared to those who receive appropriate medications (Fu, Liu, & Christensen, 2004). A study of the prevalence of potentially inappropriate medication use in older adults found that 40 percent of individuals 65 and older filled at least one prescription for a potentially inappropriate medication and 13 percent filled two or more (Fick et al., 2008). While some adverse drug events are unavoidable, studies estimate that between 30 and 80 percent of adverse drug events in older adults are preventable (MacKinnon & Hepler, 2003).
Reducing the number of inappropriate prescriptions can lead to improved patient safety and significant cost savings. Conservative estimates of extra costs due to potentially inappropriate medications in older adults average $7.2 billion a year (Fu et al., 2007 ). Medication use by older adults will likely increase further as the U.S. population ages, new drugs are developed, and new therapeutic and preventive uses for medications are discovered (Rothberg et al., 2008). The annual direct costs of preventable adverse drug events (ADEs) in the Medicare population have been estimated to exceed $800 million (Institute of Medicine, 2007). By the year 2030, nearly one in five U.S. residents is expected to be aged 65 years or older; this age group is projected to more than double in number from 38.7 million in 2008 to more than 88.5 million in 2050. Likewise, the population aged 85 years or older is expected to increase almost four-fold, from 5.4 million to 19 million between 2008 and 2050. As the older adult population continues to grow, the number of older adults who present with multiple medical conditions for which several medications are prescribed will continue to increase, resulting in polypharmacy concerns (Gray & Gardner, 2009).
Clinical Recommendation Statement
The measure is based on recommendations from the American Geriatrics Society Beers Criteria[R] for Potentially Inappropriate Medication Use in Older Adults (2019 Update). The criteria were developed through key clinical expert consensus processes by Beers in 1997, Zhan in 2001 and an updated process by Fick et al. in 2003, 2012, 2015, and 2019. The Beers Criteria identifies lists of drugs that are potentially inappropriate for all older adults and drugs that are potentially inappropriate in older adults based on various high-risk factors such as dosage, days supply and underlying diseases or conditions.
NCQA's Geriatric Measurement Advisory Panel recommended a subset of drugs that should be used with caution in older adults for inclusion in the measure based upon the recommendations in the Beers Criteria.
Definition
A high-risk medication is identified by either of the following:
a. A prescription for medications classified as high risk at any dose and for any duration
b. Prescriptions for medications classified as high risk at any dose with greater than a 90 day supply
Transmission Format
TBD
Applicable Value Sets
| Category |
Value Set |
OID |
| Encounter, Performed |
Annual Wellness Visit |
2.16.840.1.113883.3.526.3.1240 |
| Encounter, Performed |
Care Services in Long-Term Residential Facility |
2.16.840.1.113883.3.464.1003.101.12.1014 |
| Encounter, Performed |
Discharge Services - Nursing Facility |
2.16.840.1.113883.3.464.1003.101.12.1013 |
| Encounter, Performed |
Encounter Inpatient |
2.16.840.1.113883.3.666.5.307 |
| Encounter, Performed |
Home Healthcare Services |
2.16.840.1.113883.3.464.1003.101.12.1016 |
| Encounter, Performed |
Nursing Facility Visit |
2.16.840.1.113883.3.464.1003.101.12.1012 |
| Encounter, Performed |
Office Visit |
2.16.840.1.113883.3.464.1003.101.12.1001 |
| Encounter, Performed |
Ophthalmologic Outpatient Visit |
2.16.840.1.113883.3.464.1003.101.11.1206 |
| Encounter, Performed |
Preventive Care Services - Established Office Visit, 18 and Up |
2.16.840.1.113883.3.464.1003.101.12.1025 |
| Encounter, Performed |
Preventive Care Services-Initial Office Visit, 18 and Up |
2.16.840.1.113883.3.464.1003.101.12.1023 |
| Intervention, Order |
Hospice care ambulatory |
2.16.840.1.113762.1.4.1108.15 |
| Intervention, Performed |
Hospice care ambulatory |
2.16.840.1.113762.1.4.1108.15 |
| Medication, Order |
|
2.16.840.1.113883.3.464.1003.196.12.1512 |
| Medication, Order |
|
2.16.840.1.113883.3.464.1003.196.12.1516 |
| Medication, Order |
Amitriptyline Hydrochloride |
2.16.840.1.113883.3.464.1003.196.12.1373 |
| Medication, Order |
Amoxapine |
2.16.840.1.113883.3.464.1003.196.12.1273 |
| Medication, Order |
Anti Infectives, other |
2.16.840.1.113883.3.464.1003.196.12.1481 |
| Medication, Order |
Atropine / Diphenoxylate |
2.16.840.1.113883.3.464.1003.196.12.1274 |
| Medication, Order |
Benztropine |
2.16.840.1.113883.3.464.1003.196.12.1361 |
| Medication, Order |
Brompheniramine |
2.16.840.1.113883.3.464.1003.196.12.1427 |
| Medication, Order |
Butabarbital |
2.16.840.1.113883.3.464.1003.196.12.1402 |
| Medication, Order |
Butalbital |
2.16.840.1.113883.3.464.1003.196.12.1514 |
| Medication, Order |
Carbinoxamine |
2.16.840.1.113883.3.464.1003.196.12.1306 |
| Medication, Order |
Carisoprodol |
2.16.840.1.113883.3.464.1003.196.12.1369 |
| Medication, Order |
Chlorpheniramine |
2.16.840.1.113883.3.464.1003.196.12.1352 |
| Medication, Order |
Chlorpropamide |
2.16.840.1.113883.3.464.1003.196.12.1303 |
| Medication, Order |
Chlorzoxazone |
2.16.840.1.113883.3.464.1003.196.12.1362 |
| Medication, Order |
Clemastine |
2.16.840.1.113883.3.464.1003.196.12.1308 |
| Medication, Order |
Clomipramine |
2.16.840.1.113883.3.464.1003.196.12.1336 |
| Medication, Order |
Conjugated Estrogens |
2.16.840.1.113883.3.464.1003.196.12.1357 |
| Medication, Order |
Cyclobenzaprine Hydrochloride |
2.16.840.1.113883.3.464.1003.196.12.1372 |
| Medication, Order |
Cyproheptadine |
2.16.840.1.113883.3.464.1003.196.12.1277 |
| Medication, Order |
Desiccated Thyroid |
2.16.840.1.113883.3.464.1003.196.12.1354 |
| Medication, Order |
Desipramine |
2.16.840.1.113883.3.464.1003.196.12.1278 |
| Medication, Order |
Dexbrompheniramine |
2.16.840.1.113883.3.464.1003.196.12.1375 |
| Medication, Order |
Dexchlorpheniramine |
2.16.840.1.113883.3.464.1003.196.12.1300 |
| Medication, Order |
Dicyclomine |
2.16.840.1.113883.3.464.1003.196.12.1279 |
| Medication, Order |
Dimenhydrinate |
2.16.840.1.113883.3.464.1003.196.12.1500 |
| Medication, Order |
Diphenhydramine |
2.16.840.1.113883.3.464.1003.196.12.1293 |
| Medication, Order |
Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride |
2.16.840.1.113883.3.464.1003.196.12.1371 |
| Medication, Order |
Dipyridamole |
2.16.840.1.113883.3.464.1003.196.12.1349 |
| Medication, Order |
Disopyramide |
2.16.840.1.113883.3.464.1003.196.12.1311 |
| Medication, Order |
Doxylamine |
2.16.840.1.113883.3.464.1003.196.12.1515 |
| Medication, Order |
Esterified Estrogens |
2.16.840.1.113883.3.464.1003.196.12.1419 |
| Medication, Order |
Estradiol |
2.16.840.1.113883.3.464.1003.196.12.1365 |
| Medication, Order |
Estropipate |
2.16.840.1.113883.3.464.1003.196.12.1319 |
| Medication, Order |
Glyburide |
2.16.840.1.113883.3.464.1003.196.12.1368 |
| Medication, Order |
Guanfacine |
2.16.840.1.113883.3.464.1003.196.12.1341 |
| Medication, Order |
Hydroxyzine |
2.16.840.1.113883.3.464.1003.196.12.1374 |
| Medication, Order |
Hyoscyamine |
2.16.840.1.113883.3.464.1003.196.12.1501 |
| Medication, Order |
Imipramine |
2.16.840.1.113883.3.464.1003.196.12.1359 |
| Medication, Order |
Indomethacin |
2.16.840.1.113883.3.464.1003.196.12.1366 |
| Medication, Order |
Isoxsuprine |
2.16.840.1.113883.3.464.1003.196.12.1422 |
| Medication, Order |
Ketorolac Tromethamine |
2.16.840.1.113883.3.464.1003.196.12.1364 |
| Medication, Order |
List of Single RxNorm Code Concepts for High Risk Drugs for the Elderly |
2.16.840.1.113883.3.464.1003.196.12.1272 |
| Medication, Order |
Meclizine |
2.16.840.1.113883.3.464.1003.196.12.1506 |
| Medication, Order |
Megestrol |
2.16.840.1.113883.3.464.1003.196.12.1342 |
| Medication, Order |
Meperidine |
2.16.840.1.113883.3.464.1003.196.12.1351 |
| Medication, Order |
Meprobamate |
2.16.840.1.113883.3.464.1003.196.12.1284 |
| Medication, Order |
Metaxalone |
2.16.840.1.113883.3.464.1003.196.12.1358 |
| Medication, Order |
Methocarbamol |
2.16.840.1.113883.3.464.1003.196.12.1370 |
| Medication, Order |
Methyldopa |
2.16.840.1.113883.3.464.1003.196.12.1331 |
| Medication, Order |
Nifedipine |
2.16.840.1.113883.3.464.1003.196.12.1353 |
| Medication, Order |
Nonbenzodiazepine hypnotics |
2.16.840.1.113883.3.464.1003.196.12.1480 |
| Medication, Order |
Nortriptyline |
2.16.840.1.113883.3.464.1003.196.12.1507 |
| Medication, Order |
Orphenadrine |
2.16.840.1.113883.3.464.1003.196.12.1302 |
| Medication, Order |
Paroxetine |
2.16.840.1.113883.3.464.1003.196.12.1508 |
| Medication, Order |
Pentobarbital |
2.16.840.1.113883.3.464.1003.196.12.1518 |
| Medication, Order |
Phenobarbital |
2.16.840.1.113883.3.464.1003.196.12.1348 |
| Medication, Order |
Promethazine Hydrochloride |
2.16.840.1.113883.3.464.1003.196.12.1367 |
| Medication, Order |
Propantheline |
2.16.840.1.113883.3.464.1003.196.12.1519 |
| Medication, Order |
Protriptyline |
2.16.840.1.113883.3.464.1003.196.12.1509 |
| Medication, Order |
Scopolamine |
2.16.840.1.113883.3.464.1003.196.12.1520 |
| Medication, Order |
Secobarbital |
2.16.840.1.113883.3.464.1003.196.12.1521 |
| Medication, Order |
Trihexyphenidyl |
2.16.840.1.113883.3.464.1003.196.12.1334 |
| Medication, Order |
Trimipramine |
2.16.840.1.113883.3.464.1003.196.12.1285 |
| Medication, Order |
Triprolidine |
2.16.840.1.113883.3.464.1003.196.12.1408 |
| Patient Characteristic Ethnicity |
Ethnicity |
2.16.840.1.114222.4.11.837 |
| Patient Characteristic Payer |
Payer |
2.16.840.1.114222.4.11.3591 |
| Patient Characteristic Race |
Race |
2.16.840.1.114222.4.11.836 |
| Patient Characteristic Sex |
ONC Administrative Sex |
2.16.840.1.113762.1.4.1 |
References
American Geriatrics Society 2015 Beers Criteria Update Expert Panel. (2015). American Geriatrics Society 2015 updated Beers criteria for potentially inappropriate medication use in older adults. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 63(11), 2227-2246.
Beers, M. H. (1997). Explicit criteria for determining potentially inappropriate medication use by the elderly. Archives of Internal Medicine, 157, 1531-1536.
Campanelli, C. M. (2012). American Geriatrics Society updated Beers criteria for potentially inappropriate medication use in older adults: The American Geriatrics Society 2012 Beers Criteria Update Expert Panel. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 60(4), 616.
Fick, D. M., Cooper J. W., Wade, W. E., et al. (2003). Updating the Beers criteria for potentially inappropriate medication use in older adults. Archives of Internal Medicine, 163(22), 2716-2724.
Fick, D. M., Mion, L. C., Beers, M. H., et al. (2008). Health outcomes associated with potentially inappropriate medication use in older adults. Research in Nursing & Health, 31(1), 42-51.
Fu, A. Z., Liu, G. G., & Christensen, D. B. (2004). Inappropriate medication use and health outcomes in the elderly. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 52(11), 1934-1939.
Gray, C. L., & Gardner, C. (2009). Adverse drug events in the elderly: An ongoing problem. Journal of Managed Care & Specialty Pharmacy, 15(7), 568-571.
Hagstrom, K., Nailor, M., Lindberg, M., Hobbs, L., & Sobieraj, D. M. 2015. Association Between Potentially Inappropriate Medication Use in Elderly Adults and Hospital-Related Outcomes. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 63(1), 185-186.
Institute of Medicine, Committee on Identifying and Preventing Medication Errors. (2007). Preventing medication errors. Aspden, P., Wolcott, J. A., Bootman, J. L., & Cronenwatt, L. R. (eds.). Washington, DC: National Academy Press.
Kaufman, M. B., Brodin, K. A., & Sarafian, A. (2005, April/May). Effect of prescriber education on the use of medications contraindicated in older adults in a managed Medicare population. Journal of Managed Care & Specialty Pharmacy, 11(3), 211-219.
Lau, D.T., J.D., Kasper, D.E., Potter, A. Lyles. (2004). Potentially Inappropriate Medication Prescriptions Among Elderly Nursing Home Residents: Their Scope and Associated Resident and Facility Characteristics. Health Services Research, 39(5), 1257-1276.
MacKinnon, N. J., & Hepler, C. D. (2003). Indicators of preventable drug-related morbidity in older adults: Use within a managed care organization. Journal of Managed Care & Specialty Pharmacy, 9(2), 134-141.
Rothberg, M. B., Perkow, P. S., Liu, F., et al. (2008). Potentially inappropriate medication use in hospitalized elders. Journal of Hospital Medicine, 3(2), 91-102.
Zhan, C., Sangl, J., Bierman, A. S., et al. (2001). Potentially inappropriate medication use in the community-dwelling elderly. JAMA, 286(22), 2823-2868.
2019 American Geriatrics Society Beers Criteria Update Expert Panel. (2019). American Geriatrics Society 2019 Updated AGS Beers Criteria for Potentially Inappropriate Medication Use in Older Adults. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 67(4), 674-694.
Disclaimer
The performance Measure is not a clinical guideline and does not establish a standard of medical care, and has not been tested for all potential applications. THE MEASURE AND SPECIFICATIONS ARE PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND.
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This Physician Performance Measure (Measure) and related data specifications are owned and stewarded by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). CMS contracted (Contract HHSM-500-2011-00079C) with the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) to develop this electronic measure. NCQA is not responsible for any use of the Measure. NCQA makes no representations, warranties, or endorsement about the quality of any organization or physician that uses or reports performance measures and NCQA has no liability to anyone who relies on such measures or specifications.
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CPT(R) contained in the Measure specifications is copyright 2004-2019 American Medical Association. LOINC(R) copyright 2004-2019 Regenstrief Institute, Inc. This material contains SNOMED Clinical Terms(R) (SNOMED CT[R]) copyright 2004-2019 International Health Terminology Standards Development Organisation. ICD-10 copyright 2019 World Health Organization. All Rights Reserved.
Source:
https://ecqi.healthit.gov/ecqm/measures/cms156v9