An AMI occurs when arteries supplying the heart become blocked and the heart cannot receive enough oxygen. The Joint Commission and U.S. Department of Health & Human Services agree on specific measures performed by your hospital which can improve the outcomes of a person suffering from a heart attack. Not all measures may be right for you. Your hospital and/or physician will determine which treatments and medications are appropriate to improve your outcome.
Measure: Aspirin on Arrival (Percent of heart attack patients given aspirin within 24 hours of hospital arrival) Aspirin has been shown to reduce the occurrence of blood clots and dissolve those that have formed, potentially reducing the severity of a heart attack. Clinical best practice recommends the administration of aspirin within 24 hours of hospital arrival for a heart attack. The early use of aspirin in patients with a heart attack lowers the likelihood of complications and death.
Measure: Aspirin Prescribed at Discharge (Percent of heart attack patients prescribed aspirin at discharge) Taking aspirin has been shown to reduce the risk of further cardiovascular events in patients who have experienced a heart attack.
Measure: ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme) Inhibitor or ARB (angiotensin receptor blocker) for LVSD (left ventricular systolic dysfunction) (Percent of heart attack patients given ACE inhibitor or ARB for LVSD) ACE Inhibitors and ARBs may be used to treat a variety of cardiovascular conditions including heart attack and heart failure, particularly in patients with decreased left-sided heart function. Early treatment with these drugs may reduce the risk of death from future heart attacks.
Measure: Smoking Cessation Advice/Counseling (Percent of heart attack patients given smoking cessation counseling) Smoking increases the risk of heart disease, which may increase incidence of heart attack, heart failure, and stroke. Stopping smoking reduces mortality and morbidity for patients who have already experienced a heart attack. Patients who receive smoking-cessation advice from their care providers are more likely to quit.
Measure: Beta Blocker Prescribed at Discharge (Percent of heart attack patients prescribed beta blocker at discharge) Beta blockers are medications used to treat high blood pressure, heart failure and other cardiovascular diseases. They can reduce mortality and morbidity in patients who have already experienced a heart attack. Clinical practice guidelines recommend beta blocker therapy for the prevention of subsequent cardiovascular events.
Measure: Beta Blocker Prescribed at Arrival (Percent of heart attack patients given beta blocker within 24 hours of hospital arrival) Beta blockers are medications used to treat high blood pressure, heart failure and other cardiovascular diseases. Early use of beta blockers in patients with an acute heart attack reduces mortality and morbidity.
Measure: Primary PCI Received Within 90 Minutes of Hospital Arrival (Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients receiving percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) during the hospital stay with a time from hospital arrival to PCI of 90 minutes or less) PCI is a procedure for opening blocked blood vessels and restoring blood flow to the heart muscle. The earlier PCI is performed, the more effective it is. Hospitals capable of providing this treatment strive to perform it within 90 minutes of arrival for acute heart attack patient with ST-segment elevation or LBBB.