NRI-PQI provides expertise to meet CMS, The Joint Commission, and other performance measure requirements

January 01, 2026

Since 1987, NRI has been a national leader in advancing behavioral health quality through rigorous performance measurement, data-driven insight, and continuous improvement. The NRI's Performance & Quality Improvement (PQI) division partners with behavioral health organizations to turn complex data into actionable intelligence—supporting accountability, transparency, and better outcomes across systems of care.

In 1997, and in collaboration with state mental health agencies, NRI pioneered a performance measures framework that spanned both inpatient and outpatient behavioral health settings. This framework—grounded in access to care, appropriateness, quality, and outcomes—informed performance measures that became best practices.

Since 1999, the NRI’s performance measurement system has been used to report data to Joint Commission to meet accreditation requirements for the ORYX initiative for inpatient and residential psychiatric facilities. Since 2012, NRI’s performance measurement system has also been used to meet the CMS Inpatient Psychiatric Facility Quality Reporting (IPFQR) program data reporting requirements.

Integrated Support for Regulatory, Accreditation, and Compliance

PQI provides comprehensive support for national regulatory and accreditation data reporting requirements. PQI also creates resources for inpatient psychiatric facilities to help facilities achieve national performance goals and quality standards. The PQI team educates on the intent of the performance measures, establishes standardized protocols for data collection, provides guidance on data file creation and submission, relates outcomes to clinical practice, and reports data to external entities. The PQI team guides behavioral health organizations from measure selection to data submission. With this integrated support the PQI team promotes enhanced learning, continuous improvement process, and compliance.

Elevating the Patient Voice with the Psychiatric Inpatient Experience (PIX) Survey

Patient experience represents an essential aspect of care quality, and the PQI team has established it as a core element within performance measurement.

With full integration of the Psychiatric Inpatient Experience (PIX) Survey, the PQI team helps behavioral health organizations capture and utilize patient perceptions of care alongside clinical and operational metrics.

Beginning in 2026, the PIX Survey is required for inpatient psychiatric facilities participating in the CMS IPFQR Program. The PQI team streamlines adoption and participation in the PIX Survey measures by supporting:

Standardized measure definitions
Paper and electronic (PIXe) survey collection tools
Tracking monthly indicators, completion rates, and progress
Tracking survey item responses
Benchmarking patient experience across peer facilities
Data submission to CMS

Facilities that do not participate in the CMS IPFQR program can still also select the PIX Survey measures set to drive internal quality improvement and strengthen patient centered care.

Improving Patient Outcomes by Monitoring Social Drivers of Health Data

Social Drivers of Health (SDOH) data are linked to reduced chronic disease risk, increased appointment attendance, improved continuity of care, and overall improved patient outcomes and better health.

By integrating the Social Drivers of Health Measures (SDOH) Set—including SDOH-1 Screening for Social Drivers of Health and SDOH-2 Screen Positive Rate for Social Drivers of Health—the PQI team supports behavioral health organizations in achieving Joint Commission’s National Performance Goal (NP) 04.01.01 and Element of Performance (EP) 2, which focus on improving patient outcomes and assessing health-related social needs.

The SDOH Measure set is accessible to all PQI-BHPMS facility members, with feedback provided on these health-related social need domains:

Food Insecurity
Housing Instability
Transportation Needs
Utility Difficulties
Interpersonal Safety

Why Organizations Choose the NRI PQI Team

Decades of leadership in behavioral health performance measurement
Metrics intelligence related to external data reporting requirements
Timely national comparative data for inpatient psychiatric settings
Integrated support for Joint Commission, CMS, and patient experience reporting
Actionable insights that extend beyond compliance
A trusted partner to behavioral health systems nationwide

Flexible, Tiered Support to Meet You Where You Are

PQI offers flexible, tiered service options designed to meet organizations where they are—whether focused on core reporting needs or ready for deeper, customized insight. Each tier builds on PQI’s performance measurement foundation, with the flexibility to scale as needs evolve.

Tier 3 is our most comprehensive offering—designed for organizations seeking deeper insight, expert partnership, and tailored analytics.

With Tier 3, PQI becomes an extension of your team—delivering customized reports, advanced analysis, and expert guidance to support complex quality improvement initiatives and regulatory requirements across CMS, Joint Commission, and beyond.