At University Health Care System, patients are our priority, and we take pride in the care we provide. To monitor the quality of that care, we track specific quality measures and compare them to benchmark measures at local levels. We publish these quality measures so you can draw your own conclusions regarding your health care choices. Our comparison numbers are from Hospital Compare, an online tool provided by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. For additional detailed information select the "click for details" buttons on the left. The numbers used in these tables are from October 2008 through September 2009, except where noted and include patients with Medicare, those enrolled in Medicare health plans and those who don't have Medicare.

A heart attack (also called AMI or acute myocardial infarction) happens when the arteries leading to the heart become blocked and the blood supply is slowed or stopped. These measures show some of the process of care provided, if appropriate for most adults who have had a heart attack. The outpatient Heart Attack or Chest Pain measures apply to patients transferred to an acute care facility for a higher level of care.

Note: Higher percentages are better for all measures listed, except where noted.

Click for details	University	Trinity	MCG	Doctors	Aiken	Top 10% of hospitals
Aspirin on arrival	99% of 447 patients	87% of 23 patients 1	95% of 131 patients 2	100% of 28 patients	100% of 134 patients	100%
The heart is a muscle that gets oxygen through blood vessels. Sometimes blood clots can block these blood vessels, and the heart can't get enough oxygen. This can cause a heart attack. Chewing an aspirin as soon as symptoms of a heart attack begin may help reduce the severity of the attack. The table above shows the percent of heart attack patients who were given aspirin within 24 hours of arrival at the hospital.
Aspirin at discharge	100% of 650 patients	94% of 15 patients 1	96% of 216 patients 2	100% of 15 patients 1	99% of 139 patients	100%
Following a heart attack, continued use of aspirin may help reduce the risk of another heart attack by preventing blood clots from forming or dissolving blood clots that can block blood vessels. The table above shows the percentage of heart attack patients who were prescribed aspirin before leaving the hospital.
ACE or ARB for  LVSD meds	96% of 107 patients	100% of 4 patients +	94% of 51 patients 2	100% of 4 patients 1	97% of 36 patients	100%
Sometimes, the left ventricle of the heart is not strong enough to pump efficiently. This is called Left Ventricle Systolic Dysfunction (LVSD). Two medications, ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme) inhibitors and ARB (angiotensin receptor blocker) work by stopping the production of a hormone that narrows blood vessels, increases pressure in your heart and blood pressure. They can help reduce the risk of death from a heart attack if prescribed by the physician. The table above shows the percentage of heart attack patients who were given an ACE inhibitor or ARB for LVSD at discharge.
Beta blocker at discharge	98% of 601 patients	100% of 12 patients 1	94% of 194 patients 2	100% of 15 patients 1	100% of 137 patients	100%
Following a heart attack, continued use of beta blockers, a type of drug that can reduce the force and rate of heart contractions, can help lower blood pressure, treat chest pain and heart failure and reduce the likelihood of future heart attacks. The table above shows the percentage of heart attack patients who were prescribed a beta blocker at discharge.
Smoking counseling	100% of 237 patients	100% of 3 patients 1	100% of 111 patients 2	100% of 3 patients 1	100% of 46 patients	100%
Smoking increases your risk for developing blood clots and heart disease that can result in heart attack, heart failure or stroke. It is important that patients receive information to help them quit smoking before they leave the hospital because smoking is the No. 1 preventable risk factor for heart attack and stroke, and quitting may prevent another heart attack. The table above shows the percentage of heart attack patients who smoked within the year prior to coming to the hospital who receive smoking cessation counseling before leaving the hospital.
PCI within 90 minutes	86% of 91 patients	0 patients +	53% of 17 patients 1	0 patients +	84% of 37 patients	100%
Percutaneous Coronary Interventions (PCI) are procedures such as angioplasty, stenting or artherectomy that are among the most effective ways to open blocked blood vessels that cause heart attacks, increasing your chances of survival and helping to prevent further heart muscle damage. The table above shows the percentage of heart attack patients who received these interventions within 90 minutes of arrival at the hospital.
*Time to Transfer Outpatient Heart Patient	Not Available	Not Available	Not Available	Not Available	Not Available	Not Available
Average number of minutes before outpatients with chest pain or possible heart attack who needed specialized care were transferred to another hospital (a lower number of minutes is better). The numbers in this table are from July 2008 through September 2009. Why is this important? If a hospital does not have the facilities to provide specialized heart attack care, it transfers patients with possible heart attack to another hospital that can give them this care. This measure shows how long it takes, on average, for hospitals to identify patients who need specialized heart attack care the hospital cannot provide and begin their transfer to another hospital. It shows the average (median) number of minutes it takes from the time patients arrive in the Emergency Department until they are transported to a different hospital.
*Time for Outpatient ECG for Possible Heart Attack	Not Available	4 minutes	6 minutes	4 minutes	Not Available	4 minutes
Average number of minutes before outpatients with chest pain or possible heart attack got an ECG (a lower number of minutes is better). The numbers in this table are from July 2008 through September 2009. Why is this important? "ECG" (sometimes called EKG) stands for electrocardiogram. An ECG is a test that can help doctors know whether patients are having a heart attack. Process of care say that patients with chest pain or a possible heart attack should have an ECG upon arrival, preferably within 10 minutes. This measure tells the average (median) number of minutes it takes before patients got an ECG. Sometimes patients get an ECG done before they get to the hospital (for example, by the ambulance staff). This is counted as "0 minutes."
*Outpatient Given Clot-busting Drugs w/i 30 Minutes	Not Available	0 patients	Not Available	0 patients	Not Available	100%
Outpatients with chest pain or possible heart attack who got drugs to break up blood clots within 30 minutes of arrival (higher numbers are better). The numbers in this table are from July 2008 through September 2009. Why is this important? Blood clots can cause heart attacks. Certain patients having a heart attack should get a "clot busting" drug to help break up the blood clots and improve blood flow to the heart. Standards for care say that a clot busting drug should be given within 30 minutes of arrival at the hospital. This measure tells the percent of patients who got a clot busting a within 30 minutes of arrival.
*Outpatient Aspirin w/i 24 Hours or Before Transport	0 patients	86% of 14 patients 1	96% of 45 patients 2	100% of 1 patient	0 patients	100%
Outpatients with chest pain or possible heart attack who got aspirin within 24 hours of arrival or prior to transfer. The numbers in this table are from July 2008 through September 2009. Why is this important? Blood clots can cause heart attacks. For many patients having a heart attack, taking aspirin soon after symptoms of a heart attack begin may help break up a clot and make the heart attack less severe. If patients have not taken aspirin themselves before going to the hospital, they should get aspirin when they arrive. Standards for care say patients should get aspirin within 24 hours of arrival at the hospital. This measure tells what percent of patients got aspirin within this time period.

Our Current Numbers -- Heart Attack

Hospital Compare

* This is a new measure reported by Hospital Compare.

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Please note: The information presented on this website is in no way a guarantee of results. Please talk with your physician if you have questions or concerns about your care at University Hospital.
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