PATIENTS FIRST

The Institute of Medicine (IOM) Report, "Crossing the Quality Chasm: A New Health System for the 21st Century" made it clear that there are significant gaps between the care that Americans do get and the care that they should and could get. That report, and the supporting data, has energized the efforts care providers. ACC and the FCACC members are partners in defining quality cardiovascular care. Projects that cardiovascular physicians in Florida are participating in to make a different in the lives of patients and families.

Quality Care

CardioSmart is a patient education site of the American College of Cardiology. The site engages, informs, and empowers patients. Learn more at cardiosmart.org

National guidelines developed by the American College of Cardiology (ACC) and the American Heart Association (AHA) state that hospitals treating STEMI patients with emergency PCI should reliably achieve a door-to-balloon time of 90 minutes or less. FCACC rolled out the campaign to ensure that hospitals in our state would consistently reach this goal. Learn more at www.d2balliance.org

ACC provides a framework of evidence-based clinical statements and guidelines developed by leaders in the field of cardiovascular medicine. FCACC members are constantly updates as new trials impact how to use techniques and new drugs are unveiled. Learn more at www.acc.org

More than 2,200 hospitals nationwide participate in the ACC National Cardiovascular Data Registry (NCDR). As the United States’ preeminent cardiovascular data repository, the NCDR provides evidence based quality improvement solutions for cardiologists and other medical professionals who are committed to measurement, improvement, and excellence in cardiovascular care. As a trusted, patient-centered resource, the NCDR has developed clinical modules, programs, and information solutions that support the areas of cardiovascular care where quality can be measured, benchmarked, and improved to make a difference in patients’ lives. Learn more at www.ncdr.com

the Hospital to Home (H2H) goal is to reduce all-cause hospital readmission rates among patients discharged with heart failure or acute myocardial infarction by 20 percent by December 2012. Learn more www.h2hquality.org