Version 5.18a – Discharges 01/01/2026 through 12/31/2026
The Specifications Manual for National Hospital Inpatient Quality Measures (Specifications Manual) contains abstraction guidance and technical specifications to successfully submit the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) hospital inpatient quality measures.
Over time, it will be necessary to present more than one version of the manual on this Web page so that a specific data collection time period (i.e., based on hospital discharge dates) can be associated with the applicable manual. Find the appropriate data collection period below and select the associated Specifications Manual.
The Release Notes for each version of the manual outline the changes associated with that specific release and include corrections and clarifications based on ongoing alignment discussions between the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the Joint Commission.
Paper tools for use in abstracting data for each collection (discharge) period are provided with the Specifications Manual, beginning with Version 2.3b.
Sepsis Resources
| File Name |
File Type |
File Size |
|
| Coming Soon |
|
|
|
Complete Manual
| File Name |
File Type |
File Size |
|
| Version 5.18a - Specifications Manual for discharges 01/01/2026 through 12/31/2026 (Updated September 2025) |
ZIP |
5.1 MB |
Download |
| Version 5.18a - Specifications Manual for discharges 01/01/2026 through 12/31/2026 |
PDF |
1.2 MB |
Download |
| Release Notes, Version 5.18 |
PDF |
232 KB |
Download |
| Release Notes, Version 5.18a |
PDF |
257 KB |
Download |
*NOTE: For enhanced accessibility, the formatting of the manual has changed. Some documents contained in this manual are for use by technical staff. Persons using assistive technology may not be able to fully access all documents. If you need assistance in accessing a specific document, contact the QualityNet Service Center.
Manual By Section
View and/or download individual sections of the Specifications Manual, (PDF documents, unless noted), listed below.
Acknowledgement
Table Of Contents (Updated September 2025)
Introduction
Using the Manual
| Sections 5, 6, 7 and 8 - Reserved for Future Use |
| Section 10 - CMS Outcome/Inpatient Structural Measures |
Section 10.1 - Outcome Measures (Updated September 2025)
- CMS Patient Safety Indicators (CMS PSIs)
- National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN)
- Risk-Standardized Measures:
- Mortality and Complication
- Payment
- Excess Days in Acute Care (EDAC)
- Claims and Electronic Data
|
| Section 10.2 - Inpatient Structural Measures (Updated September 2025) |
Version 5.17b – Discharges 01/01/2025 through 12/31/2025
The Specifications Manual for National Hospital Inpatient Quality Measures (Specifications Manual) contains abstraction guidance and technical specifications to successfully submit the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) hospital inpatient quality measures.
Over time, it will be necessary to present more than one version of the manual on this Web page so that a specific data collection time period (i.e., based on hospital discharge dates) can be associated with the applicable manual. Find the appropriate data collection period below and select the associated Specifications Manual.
The Release Notes for each version of the manual outline the changes associated with that specific release and include corrections and clarifications based on ongoing alignment discussions between the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the Joint Commission.
Paper tools for use in abstracting data for each collection (discharge) period are provided with the Specifications Manual, beginning with Version 2.3b.
Sepsis Resources
| File Name |
File Type |
File Size |
|
| Coming Soon |
|
|
|
Complete Manual
| File Name |
File Type |
File Size |
|
| Version 5.17b - Specifications Manual for discharges 01/01/2025 through 12/31/2025 |
ZIP |
4.8 MB |
Download |
| Version 5.17b - Specifications Manual for discharges 01/01/2025 through 12/31/2025 |
PDF |
1.9 MB |
Download |
| Release Notes, Version 5.17 |
PDF |
203 KB |
Download |
| Release Notes, Version 5.17a |
PDF |
185 KB |
Download |
| Release Notes, Version 5.17b |
PDF |
264 KB |
Download |
*NOTE: For enhanced accessibility, the formatting of the manual has changed. Some documents contained in this manual are for use by technical staff. Persons using assistive technology may not be able to fully access all documents. If you need assistance in accessing a specific document, contact the QualityNet Service Center.
Manual By Section
View and/or download individual sections of the Specifications Manual, (PDF documents, unless noted), listed below.
Acknowledgement
Table Of Contents (Updated August 2025)
Introduction
Using the Manual
| Sections 5, 6, 7 and 8 - Reserved for Future Use |
| Section 10 - CMS Outcome/Inpatient Structural Measures |
Section 10.1 - Outcome Measures (Updated August 2025)
- CMS Patient Safety Indicators (CMS PSIs)
- National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN)
- Risk-Standardized Measures:
- Mortality and Complication
- Payment
- Excess Days in Acute Care (EDAC)
- Claims and Electronic Data
|
| Section 10.2 - Inpatient Structural Measures (Updated August 2025) |
Version 5.16 – Discharges 07/01/2024 through 12/31/2024
The Specifications Manual for National Hospital Inpatient Quality Measures (Specifications Manual) contains abstraction guidance and technical specifications to successfully submit the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) hospital inpatient quality measures.
Over time, it will be necessary to present more than one version of the manual on this Web page so that a specific data collection time period (i.e., based on hospital discharge dates) can be associated with the applicable manual. Find the appropriate data collection period below and select the associated Specifications Manual.
The Release Notes for each version of the manual outline the changes associated with that specific release and include corrections and clarifications based on ongoing alignment discussions between the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the Joint Commission.
Paper tools for use in abstracting data for each collection (discharge) period are provided with the Specifications Manual, beginning with Version 2.3b.
Sepsis Resources
| File Name |
File Type |
File Size |
|
| Coming Soon |
|
|
|
Complete Manual
| File Name |
File Type |
File Size |
|
| Version 5.16 - Specifications Manual for discharges 07/01/2024 through 12/31/2024 (Updated July 2024) |
ZIP |
5.1 MB |
Download |
| Version 5.16 - Specifications Manual for discharges 07/01/2024 through 12/31/2024 (Updated July 2024) |
EXE |
5.3 MB |
Download |
| Release Notes, Version 5.16 |
PDF |
252 KB |
Download |
*NOTE: For enhanced accessibility, the formatting of the manual has changed. Some documents contained in this manual are for use by technical staff. Persons using assistive technology may not be able to fully access all documents. If you need assistance in accessing a specific document, contact the QualityNet Service Center.
Manual By Section
View and/or download individual sections of the Specifications Manual, (PDF documents, unless noted), listed below.
Acknowledgement
Table Of Contents
Introduction
Using the Manual
| Sections 5, 6, 7 and 8 - Reserved for Future Use |
| Section 10 - CMS Outcome/Inpatient Structural Measures (Updated December 2023) |
Section 10.1 - Outcome Measures
- CMS Patient Safety Indicators (CMS PSIs)
- National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN)
- Risk-Standardized Measures:
- Mortality and Complication
- Payment
- Excess Days in Acute Care (EDAC)
- Claims and Electronic Data
|
| Section 10.2 - Inpatient Structural Measures (Updated December 2023) |
Version 5.15a – Discharges 01/01/2024 through 06/30/2024
The Specifications Manual for National Hospital Inpatient Quality Measures (Specifications Manual) contains abstraction guidance and technical specifications to successfully submit the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) hospital inpatient quality measures.
Over time, it will be necessary to present more than one version of the manual on this Web page so that a specific data collection time period (i.e., based on hospital discharge dates) can be associated with the applicable manual. Find the appropriate data collection period below and select the associated Specifications Manual.
The Release Notes for each version of the manual outline the changes associated with that specific release and include corrections and clarifications based on ongoing alignment discussions between the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the Joint Commission.
Paper tools for use in abstracting data for each collection (discharge) period are provided with the Specifications Manual, beginning with Version 2.3b.
Sepsis Resources
| File Name |
File Type |
File Size |
|
| Coming Soon |
|
|
|
Complete Manual
| File Name |
File Type |
File Size |
|
| Version 5.15a - Specifications Manual for discharges 01/01/24 - 06/30/24 (Updated July 2024) |
ZIP |
5 MB |
Download |
| Version 5.15a - Specifications Manual for discharges 01/01/24 - 06/30/24 (Updated July 2024) |
EXE |
4.8 MB |
Download |
| Release Notes, Version 5.15 |
PDF |
414 KB |
Download |
| Release Notes, Version 5.15a |
PDF |
198 KB |
Download |
*NOTE: For enhanced accessibility, the formatting of the manual has changed. Some documents contained in this manual are for use by technical staff. Persons using assistive technology may not be able to fully access all documents. If you need assistance in accessing a specific document, contact the QualityNet Service Center.
Manual By Section
View and/or download individual sections of the Specifications Manual, (PDF documents, unless noted), listed below.
Acknowledgement
Table Of Contents (Updated December 2023)
Introduction
Using the Manual (Updated December 2023)
| Sections 5, 6, 7 and 8 - Reserved for Future Use |
| Section 10 - CMS Outcome/Inpatient Structural Measures (Updated December 2023) |
Section 10.1 - Outcome Measures
- CMS Patient Safety Indicators (CMS PSIs)
- National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN)
- Risk-Standardized Measures:
- Mortality and Complication
- Payment
- Excess Days in Acute Care (EDAC)
- Claims and Electronic Data
|
| Section 10.2 - Inpatient Structural Measures (Updated December 2023) |
Version 5.14a – Discharges 07/01/2023 through 12/31/2023
The Specifications Manual for National Hospital Inpatient Quality Measures (Specifications Manual) contains abstraction guidance and technical specifications to successfully submit the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) hospital inpatient quality measures.
Over time, it will be necessary to present more than one version of the manual on this Web page so that a specific data collection time period (i.e., based on hospital discharge dates) can be associated with the applicable manual. Find the appropriate data collection period below and select the associated Specifications Manual.
The Release Notes for each version of the manual outline the changes associated with that specific release and include corrections and clarifications based on ongoing alignment discussions between the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the Joint Commission.
Paper tools for use in abstracting data for each collection (discharge) period are provided with the Specifications Manual, beginning with Version 2.3b.
Sepsis Resources
| File Name |
File Type |
File Size |
|
| Sepsis Frequently Asked Questions: v5.14 |
PDF |
586 KB |
Download |
Complete Manual
| File Name |
File Type |
File Size |
|
| Version 5.14a - Specifications Manual for discharges 07/01/23 - 12/31/23 (updated 08/2023) |
ZIP |
2.9 MB |
Download |
| Version 5.14a - Specifications Manual for discharges 07/01/23 - 12/31/23 |
EXE |
2.9 MB |
Download |
| Release Notes, Version 5.14 |
PDF |
262 KB |
Download |
| Release Notes, Version 5.14a |
PDF |
186 KB |
Download |
*NOTE: For enhanced accessibility, the formatting of the manual has changed. Some documents contained in this manual are for use by technical staff. Persons using assistive technology may not be able to fully access all documents. If you need assistance in accessing a specific document, contact the QualityNet Service Center.
Manual By Section
View and/or download individual sections of the Specifications Manual, (PDF documents, unless noted), listed below.
Acknowledgement
Table Of Contents
Introduction
Using the Manual
| Sections 5, 6, 7 and 8 - Reserved for Future Use |
| Section 10 - CMS Outcome/Inpatient Web-Based Measures |
Section 10.1 - Outcome Measures
- CMS Patient Safety Indicators (CMS PSIs)
- National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN)
- Risk-Standardized Measures:
- Mortality
- Payment
- Readmission and Excess Days in Acute Care (EDAC)
|
| Section 10.2 - Inpatient Web-Based Measures |
Version 5.13 – Discharges 01/01/2023 through 06/30/2023
The Specifications Manual for National Hospital Inpatient Quality Measures (Specifications Manual) contains abstraction guidance and technical specifications to successfully submit the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) hospital inpatient quality measures.
Over time, it will be necessary to present more than one version of the manual on this Web page so that a specific data collection time period (i.e., based on hospital discharge dates) can be associated with the applicable manual. Find the appropriate data collection period below and select the associated Specifications Manual.
The Release Notes for each version of the manual outline the changes associated with that specific release and include corrections and clarifications based on ongoing alignment discussions between the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the Joint Commission.
Paper tools for use in abstracting data for each collection (discharge) period are provided with the Specifications Manual, beginning with Version 2.3b.
Sepsis Resources
| File Name |
File Type |
File Size |
|
| Coming Soon |
|
|
|
Complete Manual
| File Name |
File Type |
File Size |
|
| Version 5.13 - Specifications Manual for discharges 01/01/23 - 06/30/23 |
ZIP |
2.5 MB |
Download |
| Version 5.13 - Specifications Manual for discharges 01/01/23 - 06/30/23 |
EXE |
1.6 MB |
Download |
| Release Notes, Version 5.13 |
PDF |
371 KB |
Download |
*NOTE: For enhanced accessibility, the formatting of the manual has changed. Some documents contained in this manual are for use by technical staff. Persons using assistive technology may not be able to fully access all documents. If you need assistance in accessing a specific document, contact the QualityNet Service Center.
Manual By Section
View and/or download individual sections of the Specifications Manual, (PDF documents, unless noted), listed below.
Acknowledgement
Table Of Contents
Introduction
Using the Manual
| Sections 5, 6, 7 and 8 - Reserved for Future Use |
| Section 10 - CMS Outcome/Inpatient Web-Based Measures |
Section 10.1 - Outcome Measures
- CMS Patient Safety Indicators (CMS PSIs)
- National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN)
- Risk-Standardized Measures:
- Mortality
- Payment
- Readmission and Excess Days in Acute Care (EDAC)
|
| Section 10.2 - Inpatient Web-Based Measures |
Version 5.12 – Discharges 07/01/2022 through 12/31/2022
The Specifications Manual for National Hospital Inpatient Quality Measures (Specifications Manual) contains abstraction guidance and technical specifications to successfully submit the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) hospital inpatient quality measures.
Over time, it will be necessary to present more than one version of the manual on this Web page so that a specific data collection time period (i.e., based on hospital discharge dates) can be associated with the applicable manual. Find the appropriate data collection period below and select the associated Specifications Manual.
The Release Notes for each version of the manual outline the changes associated with that specific release and include corrections and clarifications based on ongoing alignment discussions between the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the Joint Commission.
Paper tools for use in abstracting data for each collection (discharge) period are provided with the Specifications Manual, beginning with Version 2.3b.
Sepsis Resources
| File Name |
File Type |
File Size |
|
Overview of SEP-1 Bundle-Level Results for Q3 and Q4 2022
|
PDF |
255 KB |
Download |
| Sepsis Bundle Algorithm for Q3 and Q4 2022 |
PDF |
783 KB |
Download |
Complete Manual
| File Name |
File Type |
File Size |
|
| Version 5.12 - Specifications Manual for discharges 07/01/22 - 12/31/22 |
ZIP |
1.7 MB |
Download |
| Version 5.12 - Specifications Manual for discharges 07/01/22 - 12/31/22 |
EXE |
1.6 MB |
Download |
| Release Notes, Version 5.12 |
PDF |
371 KB |
Download |
*NOTE: For enhanced accessibility, the formatting of the manual has changed. Some documents contained in this manual are for use by technical staff. Persons using assistive technology may not be able to fully access all documents. If you need assistance in accessing a specific document, contact the QualityNet Service Center.
Manual By Section
View and/or download individual sections of the Specifications Manual, (PDF documents, unless noted), listed below.
Acknowledgement
Table Of Contents
Introduction
Using the Manual
| Sections 5, 6, 7 and 8 - Reserved for Future Use |
| Section 10 - CMS Outcome/Inpatient Web-Based Measures |
Section 10.1 - Outcome Measures
- CMS Patient Safety Indicators (CMS PSIs)
- National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN)
- Risk-Standardized Measures:
- Mortality
- Payment
- Readmission and Excess Days in Acute Care (EDAC)
|
| Section 10.2 - Inpatient Web-Based Measures |
Archived Specifications Manuals
| File Name |
File Type |
|
| Version 5.11a – Specifications Manual for discharges 01/01/22 – 06/30/22 |
ZIP |
Download |
| Version 5.10a – Specifications Manual for discharges 07/01/21 – 12/31/21 |
ZIP |
Download |
| Version 5.9 - Specifications Manual for discharges 01/01/21 - 06/30/21 |
ZIP |
Download |
| Version 5.8 – Specifications Manual for discharges 07/01/2020 – 12/31/2020 |
ZIP |
Download |
| Version 5.7 – Specifications Manual for discharges 01/01/2020 – 06/30/2020 |
ZIP |
Download |
| Version 5.6a - Specifications Manual for discharges 07/01/2019 - 12/31/2019 |
ZIP |
Download |
| Version 5.5a – Specifications Manual for discharges 01/01/2019 - 06/30/2019 |
ZIP |
Download |
| Version 5.4a – Specifications Manual for discharges 07/01/2018 – 12/31/2018 |
ZIP |
Download |
| Version 5.3a - Specifications Manual for discharges 01/01/2018 - 06/30/2018 (10/31/17) |
ZIP |
Download |
| Version 5.2b - Specifications Manual for discharges 01/01/2017 - 12/31/2017 (09/30/16) |
ZIP |
Download |
| Version 5.1 - Specifications Manual for discharges 07/01/2016 - 12/31/2016 (09/30/16) |
ZIP |
Download |
| Version 5.0b - Specifications Manual for discharges 10/01/2015 - 06/30/2016 (11/12/15) |
ZIP |
Download |
| Version 4.4a - Specifications Manual for discharges 01/01/2015 - 09/30/2015 (02/09/15) |
ZIP |
Download |
| Version 4.3b - Specifications Manual for discharges 01/01/2014 - 12/31/2014 (01/27/15) |
ZIP |
Download |
| Version 4.2b - Specifications Manual for discharges 01/01/2013 - 12/31/2013 (12/14/12) |
EXE |
Download |