Dr. Quatro was one of the first chiropractors in the nation to receive the NCQA Back Pain Recognition.  His commitment to quality conservative spine care led him to develop a pilot program while a Medical Director at Preferred Care designed around the NCQA BPRP, helping to bring national recognition to the local chiropractic community as leaders in the conservative spine care movement.

The NCQA Back Pain Recognition give patients reassurance that their chiropractor is providing the highest level of conservative care that is consistent with the best medical evidence available.

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What is NCQA?

The National Committee for Quality Assurance - or NCQA - is a private, 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving health care quality. Since its founding in 1990, NCQA has been a central figure in driving improvement throughout the health care system, helping to elevate the issue of health care quality to the top of the national agenda. Treatment for uncomplicated low back pain varies widely.  While most physicians follow the recommended approach of pain management and gradual return to physical activity, some prematurely prescribe costly imaging, epidural steroid injections-or refer their patients to surgery.

NCQA’s Back Pain Recognition Program (BPRP)

NCQA’s new Back Pain Recognition Program (BPRP) seeks to recognize physicians and chiropractors who deliver superior care to millions of Americans who suffer from low back pain.  The BPRP program consists of 13 clinical measures and three structural standards such as the elements of the physical exam and advice for the return to normal activities.  These requirements address the broad spectrum of low back pain and focus on underuse, misuse and overuse of treatment modalities.

NCQA developed BPRP requirements from widely accepted medical evidence, with significant input from physician specialists and health plan and employer representatives.

The NCQA Back Pain Recognition give patients reassurance that their chiropractor is providing the highest level of conservative care that is consistent with the best medical evidence available.

• Initial Visit
• Physical Exam
• Mental Health Assessment
• Appropriate Imaging for Acute Back Pain
• Repeat Imaging Studies
• Medical Assistance with Smoking Cessation
• Advice for Normal Activities
• Advice Against Bed Rest
  
• Recommendation for Exercise
• Appropriate Use of Epidural Steroid Injections
• Surgical Timing
• Patient Reassessment
• Shared Decision Making
• Patient Education
• Post-Surgical Outcomes
• Evaluation of Patient Experience