American Board of Pediatrics Portfolio Sponsor
UTHealth Houston is now officially a Portfolio Sponsor with The American Board of Pediatrics!
The Department of Pediatrics leads continuous quality improvement initiatives, including the American Board of Pediatrics Portfolio Sponsor accreditation process. The UT Quality Council develops and maintains a systematic monthly schedule for reviewing and monitoring QI projects, which includes a formal review process.
QI Projects are reviewed to:
- Meet requirements for monitoring a regularly-occurring review process
- Reflect current standards in project design using quality improvement science and methodologies
- Ensure each project has performed at least 2 PDSA Cycles (Baseline, 1st Cycle, 2nd Cycle)
- Reflect all Team members completed Meaningful Participation (see below)
Meaningful Participation is defined by the ABP as having an active role in the project and participating over an appropriate period of time. The ABP approves QI projects in which pediatricians are active participants in implementing change. To receive Part 4 credit for a QI project, you must:
- Be intellectually engaged in planning and executing the project
- Implement the project’s interventions (the changes designed to improve care)
- Review data in keeping with the project’s measurement plan
- Collaborate actively by attending team meetings
MOC Part 4 Credit (Quality Improvement)
In order to maintain certification, ABP requires 50 points must be earned in Part 4 activities every five years. Part 4 activities can be completed at any time during your five-year MOC cycle. At the end of each cycle, you will enroll again, pay the fee to begin your next MOC activity/points cycle, and submit attestation of your valid, unrestricted medical license.
Each QI Project participant that meets requirements at project completion will receive 25 points towards MOC Part 4. If your project has continued longer than a year, for each year you were a participant, you will be awarded 25 MOC Part 4 Points.
Log in to your ABP Portfolio to see how many points you currently have and when your cycle ends.
To review in greater detail, please visit ABP – MOC Part 4
What can Portfolio Sponsors do?
Organizations that are approved Portfolio Sponsors can evaluate their own Quality Improvement projects (QI) and determine MOC credit internally for those that meet the standards and expectations of The American Board of Pediatrics (ABP). This reduces the application burden and costs for organizations and allows for MOC credit to be fast-tracked for projects meeting criteria.
How can my QI Project earn MOC credit?
If you have a QI project you would like to submit for MOC credit, you can reach out to Dr. Keely Smith or Caroline Flarity on our contact us section and schedule to meet with the UT Quality Council. UT Quality Council serves as a Review Committee for all Quality Improvement (QI) projects in the Pediatrics department. You must be able to provide proof of Meaningful Participation and present all project materials to the UT Quality Council. This committee will determine if your team has met the standards and expectations of ABP and if MOC Part 4 credit will be awarded.
Helpful Links:
ABP Pediatric Portfolio Standards