Percent of Heart Attack Patients Given Aspirin at Arrival

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.

Percent of Heart Attack Patients Given Aspirin at Discharge

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.

Percent of Heart Attack Patients Given ACE Inhibitor or ARB for Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction (LVSD)

>ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme) inhibitors and ARBs (angiotensin receptor blockers) are medicines used to treat patients with heart failure and are particularly beneficial in those patients with heart failure and decreased function of the left side of the heart. Early treatment with ACE inhibitors and ARBs in patients who have heart failure symptoms or decreased heart function after a heart attack can also reduce their risk of death from future heart attacks. ACE inhibitors and ARBs work by limiting the effects of a hormone that narrows blood vessels, and may thus lower blood pressure and reduce the work the heart has to perform. Since the ways in which these two kinds of drugs work are different, your doctor will decide which drug is most appropriate for you. If you have a heart attack and/or heart failure, you should get a prescription for ACE inhibitors or ARBs if you have decreased heart function before you leave the hospital.

Percent of Heart Attack Patients Given Smoking Cessation Advice/Counseling

Smoking increases your risk for developing blood clots and heart disease that can result in a heart attack, heart failure or stroke. Smoking causes your arteries to thicken and your blood vessels to narrow. Fat and plaque stick to the walls of your arteries, 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 also linked to lung disease and cancer, and can cause premature death. It is important that you get information to help you quit smoking before you leave the hospital. Quitting may help prevent another heart attack.

Higher percentages are better.

Percent of Heart Attack Patients Given Beta Blocker at Discharge

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.

Percent of Heart Attack Patients Given Fibrinolytic Medication Within 30 Minutes Of Arrival

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. Fibrinolytic drugs are medicines that can help dissolve blood clots in blood vessels and improve blood flow to your heart. You should get them within 30 minutes of arrival at the hospital.

Higher percentages are better.

Risk-Adjusted

To calculate the hospital death rates and rates of readmission, Medicare uses a complex statistical procedure. The rates are " risk-adjusted, " meaning that the calculations take into account how sick patients were when they went in for their initial hospital stay. When rates are risk-adjusted, it means that hospitals that usually take care of sicker patients won’t have a worse rate just because their patients were sicker when they arrived at the hospital. When rates are risk-adjusted, it helps make comparisons fair and meaningful

Risk-Adjusted

To calculate the hospital death rates and rates of readmission, Medicare uses a complex statistical procedure. The rates are " risk-adjusted, " meaning that the calculations take into account how sick patients were when they went in for their initial hospital stay. When rates are risk-adjusted, it means that hospitals that usually take care of sicker patients won’t have a worse rate just because their patients were sicker when they arrived at the hospital. When rates are risk-adjusted, it helps make comparisons fair and meaningful

Average number of minutes before outpatients with chest pain or possible heart attack got an ECG

“ECG” (sometimes called EKG) stands for electrocardiogram. An ECG is a test that can help doctors know whether patients are having a heart attack. Process of care says that patients with chest pain or a possible heart attack should have an ECG upon arrival, preferably within 10 minutes.

Lower number of minutes is better.

Percent of outpatients with chest pain or possible heart attack who got aspirin within 24 hours of arrival or transfer

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 outpatients with chest pain or possible heart attack who were given (or took) aspirin within 24 hours of arrival or transfer to the hospital.

Higher percentages are better.

Percent of Heart Failure Patients Given Discharge Instructions

Heart failure is a chronic condition. It results in symptoms such as shortness of breath, dizziness, and fatigue. Before you leave the hospital, the staff at the hospital should provide you with information to help you manage the symptoms after you get home. The information should include your

1. activity level (what you can and can't do)
2. diet (what you should, and shouldn't eat or drink)
3. medications
4. follow-up appointment
5. watching your daily weight
6. what to do if your symptoms get worse

Percent of Heart Failure Patients Given an Evaluation of Left Ventricular Systolic (LVS) Function

The proper treatment for heart failure depends on what area of your heart is affected. An important test is to check how your heart is pumping, called an "evaluation of the left ventricular systolic function." It can tell your health care provider whether the left side of your heart is pumping properly. Other ways to check on how your heart is pumping include:

1. your medical history
2. a physical examination
3. listening to your heart sounds
4. other tests as ordered by a physician (like an ECG (electrocardiogram), chest x-ray, blood work, and an echocardiogram)

Percent of Heart Failure Patients Given ACE Inhibitor or ARB for Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction (LVSD)

ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme) inhibitors and ARBs (angiotensin receptor blockers) are medicines used to treat patients with heart failure and are particularly beneficial in those patients with heart failure and decreased function of the left side of the heart. Early treatment with ACE inhibitors and ARBs in patients who have heart failure symptoms or decreased heart function after a heart attack can also reduce their risk of death from future heart attacks. ACE inhibitors and ARBs work by limiting the effects of a hormone that narrows blood vessels, and may thus lower blood pressure and reduce the work the heart has to perform. Since the ways in which these two kinds of drugs work are different, your doctor will decide which drug is most appropriate for you. If you have a heart attack and/or heart failure, you should get a prescription for ACE inhibitors or ARBs if you have decreased heart function before you leave the hospital.

Percent of Heart Failure Patients Given Smoking Cessation Advice/Counseling

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.

Risk-Adjusted

To calculate the hospital death rates and rates of readmission, Medicare uses a complex statistical procedure. The rates are " risk-adjusted, " meaning that the calculations take into account how sick patients were when they went in for their initial hospital stay. When rates are risk-adjusted, it means that hospitals that usually take care of sicker patients won’t have a worse rate just because their patients were sicker when they arrived at the hospital. When rates are risk-adjusted, it helps make comparisons fair and meaningful

Risk-Adjusted

To calculate the hospital death rates and rates of readmission, Medicare uses a complex statistical procedure. The rates are " risk-adjusted, " meaning that the calculations take into account how sick patients were when they went in for their initial hospital stay. When rates are risk-adjusted, it means that hospitals that usually take care of sicker patients won’t have a worse rate just because their patients were sicker when they arrived at the hospital. When rates are risk-adjusted, it helps make comparisons fair and meaningful

*Risk Adjustment

Risk adjustment is a statistical technique that takes into account the differences in patient populations in terms of severity of illness and other factors that may affect the risk of developing a hospital acquired infection and, thus allows hospitals to be more fairly compared. A hospital that performs a large number of complex procedures on very sick patients would be expected to have a higher infection rate than a hospital that performs more routine procedures on healthier patients. Therefore, before comparing the infection rates of hospitals, it is important to adjust for the number and proportion of high and low risk patients. Different risk adjustment methods are used for central line blood stream and surgical site infections.

*Risk Adjustment

Risk adjustment is a statistical technique that takes into account the differences in patient populations in terms of severity of illness and other factors that may affect the risk of developing a hospital acquired infection and, thus allows hospitals to be more fairly compared. A hospital that performs a large number of complex procedures on very sick patients would be expected to have a higher infection rate than a hospital that performs more routine procedures on healthier patients. Therefore, before comparing the infection rates of hospitals, it is important to adjust for the number and proportion of high and low risk patients. Different risk adjustment methods are used for central line blood stream and surgical site infections.

*Risk Adjustment

Risk adjustment is a statistical technique that takes into account the differences in patient populations in terms of severity of illness and other factors that may affect the risk of developing a hospital acquired infection and, thus allows hospitals to be more fairly compared. A hospital that performs a large number of complex procedures on very sick patients would be expected to have a higher infection rate than a hospital that performs more routine procedures on healthier patients. Therefore, before comparing the infection rates of hospitals, it is important to adjust for the number and proportion of high and low risk patients. Different risk adjustment methods are used for central line blood stream and surgical site infections.

*Risk Adjustment

Risk adjustment is a statistical technique that takes into account the differences in patient populations in terms of severity of illness and other factors that may affect the risk of developing a hospital acquired infection and, thus allows hospitals to be more fairly compared. A hospital that performs a large number of complex procedures on very sick patients would be expected to have a higher infection rate than a hospital that performs more routine procedures on healthier patients. Therefore, before comparing the infection rates of hospitals, it is important to adjust for the number and proportion of high and low risk patients. Different risk adjustment methods are used for central line blood stream and surgical site infections.

Percent of Pneumonia Patients Assessed and Given Pneumococcal Vaccination

The pneumococcal vaccine may help you prevent, or lower the risk of complications of pneumonia caused by bacteria. It may also help you prevent future infections. Patients with pneumonia should be asked if they have been vaccinated recently for pneumonia and, if not, should be given the vaccine.

Higher percentages are better.

Percent of Pneumonia Patients Whose Initial Emergency Room Blood Culture Was Performed Prior To The Administration Of The First Hospital Dose Of Antibiotics

Different types of bacteria can cause pneumonia. A blood culture is a test that can help your health care provider identify which bacteria may have caused your pneumonia, and which antibiotic should be prescribed. A blood culture is not always needed, but for patients who are first seen in the hospital emergency department, it is important for the accuracy of the test that blood cultures be conducted before any antibiotics are started. It is also important to start antibiotics as soon as possible.

Higher percentages are better.

Percent of Pneumonia Patients Given Smoking Cessation Advice/Counseling

Smoking damages your lungs and can make it hard to breath. Smoking increases your chances of getting pneumonia or other chronic lung diseases like emphysema and bronchitis. Smoking is also linked to lung cancer, heart disease, and stroke, and can cause premature death. It is important for you to get information to help you quit smoking before you leave the hospital. Quitting may reduce your chance of getting pneumonia again.

Higher percentages are better.

Percent of Pneumonia Patients Given Initial Antibiotic(s) within 6 Hours After Arrival

Antibiotics are used to treat adults with pneumonia caused by bacteria. Early treatment with antibiotics can cure bacterial pneumonia and reduce the possibility of complications. This information shows the percent of patients who were given their first dose of antibiotics within 6 hours of arrival at the hospital. Patients who get pneumonia during their stay at the hospital are not counted in this measure.

Higher percentages are better.

Percent of Pneumonia Patients Given the Most Appropriate Initial Antibiotic(s)

Pneumonia is a lung infection that is usually caused by bacteria or a virus. If pneumonia is caused by bacteria, hospitals will treat the infection with antibiotics. Different bacteria are treated with different antibiotics. To learn about how hospitals use a blood test to choose the most effective treatment for pneumonia patients, refer to the Process of Care measure named 'Percent of Pneumonia Patients Whose Initial Emergency Room Blood Culture Was Performed Prior To The Administration Of The First Hospital Dose Of Antibiotics'.

Higher percentages are better.

Percent of Pneumonia Patients Assessed and Given Influenza Vaccination

Flu shots reduce the risk of influenza, a serious and sometimes deadly lung infection that can spread quickly in a community or facility. Hospitals should check to make sure that pneumonia patients, particularly those who are age 50 or older, get a flu shot during flu season to protect them from another lung infection and to help prevent the spread of influenza.

Since a flu shot is effective for just one flu season, the period of time used to calculate this rate is the flu season (from approximately November through March), in contrast to other measures on Hospital Compare, which are generally collected throughout the year.

Higher percentages are better.

Risk-Adjusted

To calculate the hospital death rates and rates of readmission, Medicare uses a complex statistical procedure. The rates are " risk-adjusted, " meaning that the calculations take into account how sick patients were when they went in for their initial hospital stay. When rates are risk-adjusted, it means that hospitals that usually take care of sicker patients won’t have a worse rate just because their patients were sicker when they arrived at the hospital. When rates are risk-adjusted, it helps make comparisons fair and meaningful

Risk-Adjusted

To calculate the hospital death rates and rates of readmission, Medicare uses a complex statistical procedure. The rates are " risk-adjusted, " meaning that the calculations take into account how sick patients were when they went in for their initial hospital stay. When rates are risk-adjusted, it means that hospitals that usually take care of sicker patients won’t have a worse rate just because their patients were sicker when they arrived at the hospital. When rates are risk-adjusted, it helps make comparisons fair and meaningful

Percent of acute ischemic stroke patients who arrive at the hospital within 120 minutes (2 hours) of time last known well and for whom IV t-PA was initiated at this hospital within 180 minutes (3 hours) of time last known well

To receive a clot busting treatment, such as t-PA, your condition must be diagnosed as an ischemic stroke (caused by a blocked artery) If given within tree hours of the start of symptoms, a clot busting drug can reduce long-term disability. Timing is very important.

Percent of patients with ischemic stroke or TIA who receive antithrombotic therapy by the end of hospital day two

Antithrombotic therapy works by improving blood flow. Two agents are used: Anticoagulants (blood thinners) are medicines that delay the clotting of blood. They make it harder for clots to form or keep existing clots from enlarging your heart veins or arteries. Antiplatelet medicines keep blood clots from forming by preventing blood platelets from sticking together.

Percent of patients with an ischemic stroke, or a hemorrhagic stroke and who are non-ambulatory who receive DVT prophylaxis by end of hospital day two

Patients experiencing a stroke that involves some loss of movement to a lower extremity or who are maintained on bed rest are at increased risk of developing deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Deep venous thrombosis is a condition in which a blood clot forms in a vein that is deep inside the body. Studies show that early initiation of prophylaxis (preventative) measures has been shown to lower the risk of DVT.

Percent of patients with an ischemic stroke or TIA prescribed antithrombotic therapy at discharge.

When doctors want to help patients prevent strokes caused by a blood clot, medical therapies that improve blood flow are prescribed. Antithrombotics are medicines that interfere with the blood's ability to clot in an artery, vein or the heart.

Percent of patients with an ischemic stroke or TIA with atrial fibrillation/flutter discharged on anticoagulation therapy

Anticoagulants (or blood thinners) are medicines that delay the clotting of blood. They can make it harder for clots to form or keep existing clots form enlarging in your heart, veins or arteries. Two examples are heparin and warfarin. Patients with certain medical conditions will benefit from this therapy.

Percent of Ischemic stroke patients with LDL >= 100, or LDL not measured, or on cholesterol-reducer prior to admission, who are discharged on Statin Medication

Recent evidence from the Stroke Prevention by Aggressive Reduction in Cholesterol Levels (SPARCL) trial supports the use of statins to lower LDL (bad) cholesterol in stroke patients without prior Coronary Artery Disease and a fasting LDL > 100 mg/dL.

Percent of patients with ischemic, TIA, or hemorrhagic stroke with a history of smoking cigarettes, who are, or whose caregivers are, given smoking cessation advice or counseling during hospital stay.

Smoking increases your risk for developing blood clots and heart disease, which can result in a stroke, heart attack or heart failure. 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. Cigarette smoking is the single most alterable risk factor contributing to premature morbidity and mortality, accounting for approximately 430,000 deaths in the United States. Smoking nearly doubles the risk of ischemic stroke. It is important for your health that you get information to help you quit smoking before you leave the hospital. Quitting may help prevent another stroke

Percent of patients with ischemic, or hemorrhagic stroke who undergo screening for dysphagia with an evidenced-based bedside testing protocol approved by the hospital before being given any food, fluids, or medication by mouth

Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) is a potentially serious complication of stroke. It is important to assess a patient's ability to swallow, before approving the oral intake of fluids, food or medication. It has been estimated that 27-50% of stroke patients develop dysphagia. Guidelines include a recommendation that all stroke patients be screened for their ability to swallow and those with abnormal results be referred for a complete examination by a speech and language pathologist or other qualified individual.

Stroke Education

Percent of patients with ischemic, TIA, or hemorrhagic stroke or their caregivers who were given education and/or educational materials during the hospital stay addressing ALL of the following: personal risk factors for stroke, warning signs for stroke, activation of emergency medical system, need for follow-up after discharge, and medications

Percent of patients with ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke who were assessed for rehabilitation services.

The effects of a stroke may mean that you must change or relearn how you live day to day. Rehabilitation may reverse some of a stroke's effects and can include improving walking, balance, coordination, speech and swallowing. The goals of rehabilitation are to increase independence, improve physical functioning, help you lead a satisfying quality of life after stroke and help you prevent another stroke.

Percent of ischemic stroke patients receiving IV t-PA at my hospital who are treated within 60 minutes after triage (ED arrival)

The Food and Drug Administration approved the use of intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (IV t-PA ), a clot busting treatment, for the treatment of acute ischemic stroke(a blood clot blocks an artery) when given within 3 hours of stroke symptom onset.

Percent of ischemic stroke or TIA patients with a documented Lipid profile.

An elevated serum lipid level has been a well-documented risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD).The reduction of LDL (bad) cholesterol, through lifestyle modification and drug therapy, for the prevention of strokes and other vascular events is recommended for patients with CAD in the Cholesterol Education Program III (NCEPIII) Guidelines.

Intensive Statin Therapy

Percent of patients diagnosed with evidence of atherosclerosis who are discharged with Intensive Statin Therapy.

Statin therapy (medications that lower cholesterol) is associated with a dramatic reduction in the rate of recurrent ischemic stroke and major coronary events.

Risk-Adjusted

Percent of surgery patients who were given an antibiotic at the right time (within one hour before surgery) to help prevent infection

Surgical wound infections can be prevented. Medical research shows that surgery patients who get antibiotics within the hour before their surgery are less likely to get wound infections. Getting an antibiotic earlier, or after surgery begins, is not as effective. Hospital staff should make sure surgery patients get antibiotics at the right time.

Higher percentages are better.

Percent of surgery patients who were given the right kind of antibiotic to help prevent infection

Surgical wound infections can be prevented. Medical research has shown that certain antibiotics work better to prevent wound infections for certain types of surgery. Hospital staff should make sure patients get the antibiotic that works best for their type of surgery.

Higher percentages are better.

Percent of surgery patients whose preventive antibiotics were stopped at the right time (within 24 hours after surgery)

Antibiotics are often given to patients before surgery to prevent infection. Taking these antibiotics for more than 24 hours after routine surgery is usually not necessary. Continuing the medication longer than necessary can increase the risk of side effects such as stomach aches and serious types of diarrhea. Also, when antibiotics are used for too long, patients can develop resistance to them and the antibiotics won't work as well.

Higher percentages are better.

Percent of all heart surgery patients whose blood sugar (blood glucose) is kept under good control in the days right after surgery

Even if heart surgery patients do not have diabetes, keeping their blood sugar under good control after surgery lowers the risk of infection and other problems. "Under good control" means their blood sugar should be 200 mg/dL or less when checked first thing in the morning.

Higher percentages are better.

Percent of surgery patients needing hair removed from the surgical area before surgery, who had hair removed using a safer method (electric clippers or hair removal cream - not a razor)

Preparing a patient for surgery may include removing body hair from skin in the area where the surgery will be done. Medical research has shown that shaving with a razor can increase the risk of infection. It is safer to use electric clippers or hair removal cream.

Higher percentages are better.

Percent of surgery patients who were taking heart drugs called beta blockers before coming to the hospital, who were kept on the beta blockers during the period just before and after their surgery

It is often standard procedure to stop patients' usual medications for awhile before and after their surgery. But if patients who have been taking beta blockers suddenly stop taking them, they can have heart problems such as a fast heart beat. For these patients, staying on beta blockers before and after surgery makes it less likely that they will have heart problems.

Higher percentages are better.

Percent of surgery patients whose doctors ordered treatments to prevent blood clots after certain types of surgeries

Certain surgeries increase the risk that the patient will develop a blood clot (venous thromboembolism). When patients stay still for a long time after some types of surgery, they are more likely to develop a blood clot in the veins of the legs, thighs, or pelvis. A blood clot slows down the flow of blood, causing swelling, redness, and pain. A blood clot can also break off and travel to other parts of the body. If the blood clot gets into the lung, it is a serious problem that can cause death.

To help prevent blood clots from forming after surgery, doctors can order treatments to be used just before or after the surgery. These include blood-thinning medications, elastic support stockings, or mechanical air stockings that help with blood flow in the legs.

Higher percentages are better.

Percent of patients who got treatment at the right time (within 24 hours before or after their surgery) to help prevent blood clots after certain types of surgery

Many factors influence a surgery patient's risk of developing a blood clot, including the type of surgery. When patients stay still for a long time after some types of surgery, they are more likely to develop a blood clot in the veins of the legs, thighs, or pelvis. A blood clot slows down the flow of blood, causing swelling, redness, and pain. A blood clot can also break off and travel to other parts of the body. If the blood clot gets into the lung, it is a serious problem that can sometimes cause death.

Treatments to help prevent blood clots from forming after surgery include blood-thinning medications, elastic support stockings, or mechanical air stockings that help with blood flow in the legs. These treatments need to be started at the right time, which is typically during the period that begins 24 hours before surgery and ends 24 hours after surgery.

Higher percentages are better.

Percent of surgery patients whose urinary catheters were removed on the first or second day after surgery

Sometimes surgical patients need to have a urinary catheter, or thin tube, inserted into their bladder to help drain the urine. Catheters are usually attached to a bag that collects the urine. Surgery patients can develop infections when urinary catheters are left in place too long after surgery. Infections are dangerous for patients, cause longer hospital stays, and increase costs.

Higher percentages are better.

Patients having surgery who were actively warmed in the operating room or whose body temperature was near normal by the end of surgery

Hospitals can prevent surgical wound infections and other complications by keeping the patient’s body temperature near normal during surgery. Medical research has shown that patients whose body temperatures drop during surgery have a greater risk of infection and their wound may not heal as quickly. Hospital staff make sure that patients are actively warmed during and immediately after surgery to prevent drops in body temperature.

Higher percentages are better.

Percent of outpatients having surgery who were given an antibiotic at the right time (within one hour before surgery) to help prevent infection

Surgical wound infections can be prevented. Medical research shows that surgery patients who get antibiotics within the hour before their surgery are less likely to get wound infections. Getting an antibiotic earlier, or after surgery begins, is not as effective. Hospital staff should make sure surgery patients get antibiotics at the right time.

Higher percentages are better.

Percent of outpatients having surgery who were given the right kind of antibiotic to help prevent infection

Surgical wound infections can be prevented. Medical research has shown that certain antibiotics work better to prevent wound infections for certain types of surgery. Hospital staff should make sure patients get the antibiotic that works best for their type of surgery.

Higher percentages are better.