Prescription of ACE Inhibitor or ARBs to Heart Attack Patients at HealthONE Hospitals

Timeframe: January 2011 through March 2011
(Most Recent Data Available)

Timeframe: October 2009 through September 2010
(Yearly National and State Comparisons)

What does this Measure?

The percentage of heart attack patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) who received an ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme) inhibitor or ARB (angiotensin receptor blocker) when they are released from the hospital.

Why is the Important?

ACE inhibitors and ARBs are medicines that improve the heart's ability to pump blood.

Research shows that prescribing ACE inhibitors and ARBs to patients with heart failure symptoms or reduced heart function due to a heart attack significantly reduces the risk of death.

What Are We Doing to Improve Our Performance?

HealthONE hospitals have implemented several initiatives to improve our performance on this measure. These include:

• Electronic medication records
• Evidence-based medicine
• Nurse and physician training
• Patient safety and quality committee