CMS Quality Initiative
Hospital Compare was created through the efforts of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and organizations that represent hospitals, doctors, employers, accrediting organizations and the public. DFWHC and the Dallas Business Group on Health have partnered through the Health Value Initiative to present Hospital Compare information from our area.
The reports on the Hospital Compare website allow you to compare the "process of care" provided by hospitals for certain medical conditions. By "process of care," we mean the recommended steps that, when followed for a certain medical condition, usually provide the best results for patients. It's important to keep in mind that not all the recommended guidelines apply to all patients.
Patients not receiving the recommended care are not counted in the "process of care" measures. These measures are presented as rates or percentages. Small differences in percentages usually do not reveal a great deal about groups of hospitals. Large differences in percentages provide more insight.
Percentages may be affected by such factors as how many patients are included in the rate calculation. This does not necessarily reflect the quality of the care you will receive. These measures are intended to be a helpful tool when deciding where to seek healthcare for these conditions.
DFW Heart Attack Quality Measures
The links below will allow you to compare the process of care given at local hospitals for Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI), more commonly known as a heart attack.
There are eight processes of care measures related to AMI or heart attacks that, if followed, tend to give patients the best results. The following table provides definitions of the eight processes of care measures. For these reports to be useful, please read the basic information on the Hospital Compare website to understand what is being measured.
| Heart Attack Quality Measures | Brief explanation of treatment |
| Percent of patients given ACE inhibitor for LVSD | An ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme) inhibitor is a medicine used to treat heart attacks, heart failure or a decreased function of the heart. |
| Percent of patients given Adult Smoking Cessation Advice/Counseling | Smoking is linked to heart attacks. Quitting may help prevent another heart attack. |
| Percent of patients given aspirin at arrival | Aspirin can help keep blood clots from forming and dissolve blood clots that can cause heart attacks. |
| Percent of patients given aspirin at discharge | Taking aspirin may help prevent a heart attack. |
| Percent of patients given Beta Blocker at arrival | Beta blockers are a type of medicine used to lower blood pressure, treat chest pain (angina) and heart failure, and help prevent a heart attack. |
| Percent of patients given Beta Blocker at Discharge | Beta blockers are a type of medicine used to lower blood pressure, treat chest pain (angina) and heart failure, and to help prevent a heart attack. |
| Percent of patients given PTCA received within 90 minutes of arrival | This procedure is one of the most effective for opening blocked blood vessels that causes heart attacks. Doctors may perform this procedure, or give medicine to open the blockage, or in some cases do both. |
Percent of patients given Thrombolytic Agent received within 30 minutes of arrival |
Blood clots can cause heart attacks. Doctors may give this medicine or perform a procedure to open the blockage. In some cases they may do both. |
