National Hospital Inpatient Quality Measures updated Specifications Manual

Version 5.19 of the Specifications Manual for National Hospital Inpatient Quality Measures (Specifications Manual) is now available from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. The Specifications Manual is available on QualityNet under the Hospital Inpatient Quality Reporting Program. You can download the full manual, review release notes, and access individual sections.

Review this document for important changes, including updated abstraction guidance for the Severe Sepsis and Septic Shock Management Bundle. A complete list of updates is available in the release notes. This Specification Manual version will apply to acute inpatient discharges under the Hospital Inpatient Quality Reporting Program from January 1, 2027, through December 31, 2027.