About St. Clair
Quality Outcomes
Heart Failure
| Heart Failure Quality Measures1 | St. Clair results | National results |
|---|---|---|
|
Percent of heart failure patients given discharge instructions
Higher percentages are better
|
84% |
90% |
|
Percent of heart failure patients given an evaluation of left ventricular systolic function
Higher percentages are better
|
99% |
98% |
|
Percent of heart failure patients given ACE inhibitor or ARB for left ventricular systolic dysfunction
Higher percentages are better
|
87% |
95% |
1Results are from patients who had overnight hospital stays from January 2010 through December 2010.
Discharge Instructions
What are we measuring?
How frequently patients discharged with heart failure receive education about appropriate activity levels, a healthful diet, medications, when they should schedule a follow-up physician appointment, daily weight monitoring, and what to do if symptoms worsen.
Why is this important?
Lack of understanding about heart failure often leads to problems managing medications, diet and exercise. It’s important that patients with heart failure are educated about how to best manage their condition.
How are we doing?
Results are below the national average. In analyzing the results, we have found that our team of physicians, pharmacists and nurses are educating heart failure patients, but at times are not documenting that the education has been completed. Procedures are in place to help rectify the reporting process.
Left Ventricular Systolic Function Evaluation
What are we measuring?
How frequently heart failure patients’ left ventricular systolic (LVS) function was evaluated either before arrival, during hospitalization, or is planned for after discharge.
Why is this important?
National guidelines advocate the evaluation of left ventricular systolic function as the single most important diagnostic test in the management of all patients with heart failure. This test assesses the strength of the heart’s pumping action by measuring how much blood is moved with each heartbeat.
How are we doing?
Results are slightly above the national average. Each patient with heart failure receives regular evaluation of their LVS function.
ACE Inhibitor or ARB
What are we measuring?
How frequently patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction are prescribed a medication called an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor or an angiotensin receptor blocker early in the hospitalization.
Why is this important?
ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme) inhibitors and ARBs (angiotensin receptor blockers) are medicines used to treat patients with heart failure and are particularly beneficial in those patients with decreased function of the left side of the heart. Early treatment with ACE inhibitors and ARBs can also reduce the risk of death from future heart attacks. Since the ways in which these two kinds of drugs work are different, your doctor will decide which drug is most appropriate for you.
How are we doing?
Results are not as strong as the national average. Our team of physicians, nurses and pharmacists has found that we are evaluating patients for this medication, but at times not documenting the conclusion and treatment decisions.