CLINICAL QUALITY:
The goal for all medical facilities is to provide the standard core measures to 100% of eligible/appropriate patients. When reviewing the data, you can see over time that Maimonides has and continues to improve the delivery of recommended services to patients with a heart attack/acute myocardial infarction (AMI).
The improvement areas we are focusing on are:
- To further reduce the time to percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). PCI is a procedure that is often the most effective method for opening blocked blood vessels that cause heart attacks.
- Enhance rapid intervention (within 90 minutes) from the time the patient arrives in the Emergency Room until treatment. Time is essential for patients who present with a heart attack.
CORE MEASURES: Heart Attack: Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI)
Aspirin given on arrival to ER
Taking aspirin as soon as symptoms of a heart attack begin may help reduce the severity of the attack.
Aspirin prescribed at discharge
Use of aspirin after heart attack reduces risk of another heart attack by stopping blood clots.
Angiotension Converting Enzyme Inhibitors (ACE-I) or Angiotension Receptor Blockers (ARBs) for Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction (LVSD)
ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme) inhibitors and ARBs (angiotensin receptor blockers) are medicines used to treat heart attacks, heart failure, or a decreased function of the heart.
Smoking cessation advice/counseling at or before discharge
Smoking is linked to heart attacks. Quitting may help prevent another heart attack.
Beta blocker prescribed at discharge
Beta blockers are a type of medicine used to lower blood pressure, treat chest pain (angina) and heart failure, and help prevent a heart attack.
Thrombolytic agent received within 30 minutes of arrival to ER
Thrombolytic agents lessen the severity and reduce the risk of a heart attack by dissolving blood clots and improving blood flow.
Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) within 90 minutes of arrival to ER
Procedures called Percutaneous Coronary Interventions (PCI) are among those that are the most effective for opening blocked blood vessels that cause heart attacks. Doctors may perform PCI, or give medicine to open the blockage, and in some cases, may do both.