Heart failure is a common and chronic condition in which the heart muscle is unable to keep up with its workload. This can result in an enlarged heart, fatigue, fluid retention, and heartbeat irregularities. Risk factors for heart failure are high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, disease of the heart valves, congenital heart disease, and a previous heart attack. Heart failure is usually treated with medications, diet, and lifestyle changes.
Heart Failure -- The Four Quality and Patient Safety Measures
1. Left ventricle failure (LVF) assessment
Left ventricle failure is when the left chamber of the heart loses its ability to contract normally. LVF assessment aids in determining the best medication to help heart failure patients. LVF assessment can be performed in different ways, including physical exam, echocardiogram, and chest x-ray. The following graph exhibits our performance in providing this assessment to heart failure patients, and the national rates reported by The Joint Commission.
2. Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) for left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) in heart failure patients
Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) are medicines used to treat heart attacks and heart failure. Left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) refers to a weakened heart muscle that is sometimes a complication of a heart attack. ACEI therapy for patients that have left ventricular systolic dysfunction reduces death and complication rates. The following graph exhibits our performance in providing this treatment, and the national rates reported by The Joint Commission.
3. Discharge instructions for heart failure patients
The patient should be provided with information to help monitor and manage heart failure after discharge. Discharge instructions are important to the education of a patient in the following areas: activity level, diet, medications, follow-up appointments, weight monitoring, and actions to take if the heart failure worsens. The following graph exhibits our performance in providing these discharge instructions, and the national rates reported by The Joint Commission.
4. Adult smoking cessation counseling for heart failure patients
Smoking can contribute to heart failure and other health problems. Patients who receive counseling regarding smoking cessation are more likely to quit. The following graph exhibits our performance in providing this counseling to heart failure patients, and the national rates reported by The Joint Commission.
Some of the information is taken from Specifications Manual for National Hospital Quality Measures, the American Heart Association, the American Lung Association and the Clinical Infectious Diseases Journal.
