Quality
Quality Outcomes
Heart Attack
Results are from patients who had overnight hospital stays from July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2012.
|
Heart Attack Quality Measures1 |
St. Clair results | National results |
|---|---|---|
|
Percent of heart attack patients given aspirin at discharge
Higher percentages are better
|
100% |
99% |
|
Percent of heart attack patients who receive PCI within 90 minutes of arrival
Higher percentages are better
|
98% |
95% |
|
Percent of heart attack patients prescribed a Statin medication upon discharge from the hospital Higher percentages are better |
100% |
98% |
1 Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Aspirin upon Discharge
What are we measuring?
How frequently patients are discharged from the hospital with instructions to take aspirin at home
Why is this important?
Aspirin can help prevent clots from forming or help dissolve clots that have formed. Studies show that continued use of aspirin following a heart attack may reduce the risk of another heart attack.
How are we doing?
Although our results are better than the national average, our team of physicians, nurses and pharmacists continue to analyze our process for discharge instructions.
Percutaneous Coronary Interventions (PCI)within 90 Minutes
What are we measuring?
How frequently patients who are undergoing an angioplasty procedure have their culprit coronary artery ― the artery causing the heart attack ― opened within 90 minutes of arrival at the Hospital.
Why is this important?
PCI are procedures that are among the most effective ways to open blocked blood vessels and help prevent further heart muscle damage. Improving blood flow to your heart as quickly as possible lessens the damage to your heart muscle. It increases your chances of surviving a heart attack. Based on scientific research, the American College of Cardiology recommends that “door-to-balloon-time” take no longer than 90 minutes from hospital arrival to completion of the procedure.
How are we doing?
Our results show that we greatly exceed the national average for this measure. Our Door to Balloon Team of ED physicians, interventional cardiologists, ED staff Cardiac Cath Lab staff, and EMS services have designed the quickest pathway for patients to receive heart saving interventional procedures. This pathway includes pre-hospital ECG by EMS units who take command from the St. Clair ED physicians.
Statin at Discharge
What are we measuring?
How often patients who have had a heart attack are prescribed a Statin medication on discharge from the hospital.
Why is this important?
Cholesterol is a fat that your body needs to work properly. Cholesterol levels that are too high can increase your chance of getting heart disease, stroke and other problems. For heart attack patients with high cholesterol, taking a Statin drug can lower the chance of another heart attack.
How are we doing?
St. Clair outcomes exceed national results. Our cardiologists strive to ensure that all patients with high cholesterol are prescribed a Statin medication when appropriate.