Excellent Care for Heart Attack Patients

Wilcox Memorial Hospital Heart Attack Quality Measures (Data show most recent CMS data August 2006 - July 2007)

AMI-1 Patients Given Aspirin at Arrival Wilcox - 94%   HI State Avg - 96%   National Avg - 94%   AMI-2 Patients Given Aspirin at Discharge Wilcox - 83%   HI State Avg - 95%   National Avg - 91%   AMI-3 Patients Given ACE Inhibitor or ARB for Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction (LVSD) Wilcox - 100%   HI State Avg - 92%   National Avg - 88%   AMI-4 Patients Given Smoking Cessation Advice/Counseling Wilcox - no eligible patients   HI State Avg - 85%   National Avg - 92%   AMI-5 Patients Given Blocker at Discharge Wilcox - 80%   HI State Avg - 95%   National Avg - 92%   AMI-6 Patients Given Beta Blocker at Arrival Wilcox - 85%   HI State Avg - 91%   National Avg - 89%   AMI-7a Patients Given Thrombolytic Medication Within 30 Minutes of Arrival Wilcox - no eligible patients HI State Avg - 28%   National Avg - 40%

Heart Disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. 1.1 million Americans are diagnosed with an Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI), also known as a heart attack, every year. Approximately 350,000 people die during the acute phase of a heart attack. It has been proven that many of these deaths can be prevented if hospitals provide seven interventions for patients coming into the hospital with a heart attack. Hospitals all over the country struggle to consistently provide these treatments. The challenges have proven to be so great that these treatments are monitored by the JC and CMS in an effort to raise awareness and improve consistency of care. We can prevent deaths by doing things like giving patients aspirin and beta-blockers within the first 24 hours upon arrival. There are 7 treatments which are proven to be effective with heart attack patients. If a person having a heart attack receives these 7 treatments within a certain timeframe, that person has a better chance of living. This project aims to make sure that every patient receives those 7 treatments within the optimal timeframes.

To improve care for heart attack patients by making sure they receive all of the 7 recommended treatments every time.

Results:

Baseline data from Jul04-Jun05 showed an average score of 46%, meaning that 46% of the patients received all 7 measures completely and correctly. Wilcox physicians and staff decided that they could make changes to the way care is provided which would improve that score.

Through hard work and perseverance, the physicians, nurses and other care team members at Wilcox have made a huge improvement as shown above. From August07-July08 the team has delivered perfect care to 100% of the patients. This continues to be a key initiative for Wilcox Hospital and we continue to work to sustain success. Data are reviewed monthly at our board meetings and the information is regularly shared with each department.

[Last updated 11/01/08]