|
BALTIMORE, MD—June 23, 2010—Although treatment guidelines from the American College of Cardiology (ACC) and the American Heart Association (AHA) have been published and widely accepted, barriers to the optimal management of patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) still exist. Adherence to guidelines has been correlated with improvements in patient outcomes in ACS, including reduced mortality, yet data demonstrate that 25% of opportunities to provide guideline-recommended care are missed.
|
|
Critical Pathways in Cardiology, a Journal of Evidence-Based Medicine, published the following article on Performance Improvement Strategies in Acute Coronary Syndromes, a Med-IQ-sponsored performance improvement (PI) CME initiative designed to improve clinician practice behavior and patient outcomes by addressing gaps in process-related ACS care.
Individual Quality Improvement in Acute Coronary Syndromes:
A Performance Improvement Initiative
Authors:
Christopher P. Cannon, MD
James W. Hoekstra, MD
David M. Larson, MD
William A. Mencia, MD
Jeanne Cornish, RPh
Reshma D. Carter, PharmD
Carolyn A. Berry, PhD
Rachel Bongiorno Karcher, PharmD
Critical Pathways in Cardiology provides a single source for the diagnostic and therapeutic protocols in use at hospitals worldwide for patients with cardiac disorders. The Journal presents critical pathways for specific diagnoses—complete with evidence-based rationales—and also publishes studies of these protocols' effectiveness.
Clinicians who participate in Performance Improvement Strategies in Acute Coronary Syndromes assess their practice using performance measures defined by the ACC/AHA guidelines for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and unstable angina or non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction within three areas: (1) patient risk assessment, (2) initial pharmacologic management, and (3) time-to-treatment (ie, “door-to-needle,” “door-to-balloon,” and “door-in-door-out” times).
After completing a self-assessment and identifying one or more areas of improvement, participants can complete educational interventions and access benchmark-specific tools that provide guidance on improving adherence with the ACC/AHA guidelines. Educational resources include activities provided by STRIVE: Strategies and Therapies for Reducing Ischemic and Vascular Events, and short peer-to-peer e-briefs highlighting real-world questions, opportunities for improvement, and front-line perspectives gained from complimentary ACS CME teleconferences.
ACS PI CME is an American Medical Association (AMA)-approved, standardized CME format in which physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants can earn up to 20 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™; participants may also use their data to complete ABIM's Self-Directed PIM and earn credit for ABIM Maintenance of Certification. In three stages, participants can (a) complete a self-assessment review to identify areas in which patient care can be improved, (b) develop and implement an improvement plan that addresses identified areas of care, and (c) complete a second self-assessment review to determine the impact of their improvement strategies.
Stage A expired June 1, 2010. For additional information, visit www.acspi-iq.com or e-mail concierge@med-iq.com.
About Med-IQ
Med-IQ, America's most respected continuing medical education (CME) company, is an accredited provider of CME that educates and inspires healthcare professionals through programs that deliver sophisticated outcomes-based educational designs with measurable results in professional competence and performance. Med-IQ is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the California Board of Registered Nursing (CBRN), and the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) as a provider of continuing medical education to physicians, nurses, and pharmacists, respectively. To learn more about us, visit www.Med-IQ.com.
For more information, contact: |
close
