Quality Measures
The hospital quality measures on this website show recommended care for some of the most common and costly conditions that hospitals treat. Research has shown that these treatments provide the best results for most adults with those conditions and are an important part of the patients' overall care.
Hospitals, doctors, scientists, and other health care professionals agree that these quality measures give a good snapshot of how well hospitals provide these specific types of care. Hospitals should try to give all of their patients the recommended care when it is appropriate. The goal for each measure is 100 percent.
A hospital’s quality is more than just its scores on these measures. Hospitals provide care for other illnesses and conditions for which measures are still under development. A hospital should be able to tell you what steps it is taking to improve its care. The information you will find on this website is intended to help you start a conversation with your physician or hospital about how you can best get the care you need.
Acute Myocardial Infarction (Heart attack)
Aspirin at Arrival
Why is this important?
The heart is a muscle that gets oxygen through blood vessels. Sometimes blood clots can block these blood vessels, and the heart can't get enough oxygen. This can cause a heart attack. Chewing an aspirin as soon as symptoms of a heart attack begin may help reduce the severity of the attack. This chart shows the percent of heart attack patients who were given (or took) aspirin within 24 hours of arrival at the hospital.
Higher percentages are better.
For more information about heart attack care, click here.
Aspirin at Discharge
Why is this important?
Blood clots can block blood vessels. Aspirin can help prevent blood clots from forming or help dissolve blood clots that have formed. Following a heart attack, continued use of aspirin may help reduce the risk of another heart attack. Aspirin can have side effects like stomach inflammation, bleeding, or allergic reactions. Talk to your health care provider before using aspirin on a regular basis to make sure it's safe for you.
Higher percentages are better.
For more information about heart attack care, click here.
Beta Blocker at Discharge
Why is this important?
Beta blockers are a type of medicine that is used to lower blood pressure, treat chest pain (angina) and heart failure, and to help prevent a heart attack. Beta blockers relieve the stress on your heart by slowing the heart rate and reducing the force with which your heart muscles contract to pump blood. They also help keep blood vessels from constricting in your heart, brain, and body. If you have a heart attack, you should get a prescription for a beta blocker before you leave the hospital.
Higher percentages are better.
For more information about heart attack care, click here.
ACEI or ARBs for Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction
Why is this important?
ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme) inhibitors and ARBs (angiotensin receptor blockers) are medicines used to treat heart attacks, high blood pressure, and heart failure. They are also frequently prescribed for a condition called 'left ventricular systolic dysfunction', which is a decreased function of the left part of your heart. ACEI or ARBs can help reduce the risk of death from a heart attack if taken within 24 hours of the first symptoms of a heart attack. Continued use may help prevent heart failure. These drugs work by stopping the production of a hormone that can narrow your blood vessels. This helps reduce the pressure in your heart, lowering your blood pressure.
Higher percentages are better.
For more information about heart attack care, click here.
Smoking Cessation Counseling
Why is this important?
Smoking increases your risk for developing blood clots and heart disease, which can result in a heart attack, heart failure or stroke. Smoking causes your blood vessels to thicken. Fat and plaque then stick to the wall of your blood vessels, which makes it harder for blood to flow. Reduced blood flow to your heart may result in chest pain, high blood pressure, and an increased heart rate. Smoking is linked to lung disease and cancer, and can cause premature death. It is important for your health that you get information to help you quit smoking before you leave the hospital.
Higher percentages are better.
For more information about heart attack care, click here.
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Be careful when drawing conclusions from this information.
- Small numbers of patients may distort reported performance.
- Patients must meet specific national medical criteria to be in this report.
Talk to your health care provider if you have questions about your treatment.
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