Cincinnati - VHA Inc., a national health care alliance based in Irving, Texas, has recognized The University Hospital for excellence in cardiac care. University Hospital is one of 86 VHA member hospitals nationwide to receive its 2006 Leadership Award for excellence in cardiac care.
"This award validates the dedicated focus of our clinical staff and physicians to improve the care provided to our cardiac patients," said Pam VanSant, vice president, administration, University Hospital. "By incorporating evidence-based measures into a cardiac patient's plan of care, we are able to monitor and measure the overall rate of improvement in outcomes. In addition, we expect to realize a financial benefit from our focus on quality-based performance. Clinicians are encouraged to enhance productivity and reduce costs associated with delivering care, which in turn enables us to reinvest resources into our patient care services."
The VHA 2006 Leadership Award for clinical excellence in cardiac care is based on the latest set of measures that has been nationally accepted as indicators of quality. The best practice standards for cardiac care are divided according to the cardiac problem that is being treated, either acute myocardial infarction (AMI) or congestive heart failure (CHF).
For AMI, heart attacks, the standards include:
· Aspirin prescribed at time of patient's arrival
· Aspirin prescribed at time of patient's discharge
· ACE inhibitors or beta blocker administration (medicines that treat heart failure) for left ventricular systolic dysfunction
· Adult smoking cessation advice/counseling provided to patient prior to discharge
· Beta blocker prescribed at time of patient's arrival
· Beta blocker prescribed at time of patient's discharge
· Amount of time until thrombolytics (clot-dissolving drugs) administered
· Amount of time until percutaneous intervention (PCI) administered.
For CHF patients, the best practice standards include:
· ACE inhibitors or beta blocker administration for left ventricular systolic dysfunction
· Detailed discharge instructions provided to patient
· Left ventricular function assessment performed on patient
· Adult smoking cessation advice/counseling provided to patient prior to discharge.
University Hospital achieved at least a 90 percent compliance with all rate-based indicators to qualify for the award. The median time for delivery of thrombolytic agents was equal to or less than 30 minutes. And, the median time until percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty was administered to the patient was equal to or less than 120 minutes.
VHA Inc., based in Irving, Texas, is a national alliance that provides industry-leading supply chain management services and supports the formation of regional and national networks to help members improve their clinical and economic performance. With 18 offices across the U.S., VHA has a track record of proven results in serving more than 2,400 health care organizations nationwide.
The University Hospital is part of the Health Alliance, an integrated health care delivery system that also includes The Christ Hospital, The St. Luke Hospitals, The Jewish Hospital, The Fort Hamilton Hospital and the physicians of Alliance Primary Care. To view other Health Alliance news releases, go to www.health-alliance.com/pressroom .
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