How does NQF build consensus?
NQF uses its formal voluntary consensus development process to evaluate and endorse consensus standards, including performance measures, best practices, frameworks, and reporting guidelines. The NQF consensus development process is designed to produce consensus among a variety of stakeholder groups from across the healthcare industry. Because NQF uses this formal consensus development process, it is recognized as a voluntary consensus standards-setting organization as defined by the National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995 and Office of Management and Budget Circular A-119. Over the past 10 years, the procedures that form NQF’s consensus development process, and NQF’s implementation of those procedures, have evolved to ensure that NQF’s evaluation of candidate consensus standards continues to meet the highest standards of quality measurement. NQF is currently using version 1.8 of the process.
