Treating Heart Attacks (Acute Myocardial Infarction or AMI)
4th QTR 2010 - 3rd QTR 2011
AMI-1: Aspirin at Arrival
A measure of the quality of care in treating a heart attack. Aspirin can prevent further clotting in heart attack patients. The rate is calculated by dividing the number of patients given aspirin by the total number of patients in which aspirin was indicated. (100% of 95 patients for this time period)
AMI-2: Aspirin at Discharge
A measure of quality in the long term care of patients who have had a heart attack. Maintenance dosing of aspirin on a daily basis is helpful in preventing additional heart attacks. The rate is calculated by dividing the number of patients discharged with a prescription for aspirin by the total number of patients in which aspirin was indicated. (100% of 53 patients for this time period)
AMI-3: ACE inhibitor or ARB for LVSD
A measure of the quality of care in treating left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) in patients who have had a heart attack, heart failure, or decreased function of the left side of the heart, ACE inhibitors are drugs that work by stopping the action of a hormone (angiotensin II) that can narrow blood vessels. Unless contraindicated, patients who have had a heart attack with LVSD who were given an ACE inhibitor or ARB should be discharged with a prescription for the same. (100% of the 17 patients in this time period)
AMI-4: Smoking Cessation Counseling
According to the 1990 Surgeon General's Report, the Health Benefits of Smoking Cessation, quitting smoking can greatly reduce the occurrence of coronary heart disease and other forms of cardiovascular disease. The report also states that quitting smoking reduces the risk of repeat heart attacks and death from heart disease by 50% or more. (100% of 5 patients in this time period)
AMI-5: Beta Blocker at Discharge
A measure of the quality of care in the long-term treatment of a heart attack. Maintenance dosing of a beta blocker is helpful in keeping the heart from beating faster, thereby enhancing its pumping ability. The rate is calculated by dividing the number of patients discharged with a prescription for a beta blocker by the number of patients in which beta blocker is indicated. (98% of 53 patients in this time period)
