Cardiology groups introduce new performance, quality measures for heart failure
The American College of Cardiology (ACC), American Heart Association and Heart Failure Society of America have collaborated on updated clinical performance and quality measures for the treatment of adult heart failure patients. The update, published in full in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, includes three new performance measures and six new quality measures.[1]
3 new performance measures for treating heart failure
The new performance measures are all based on significant evidence and represent strong recommendations from the participating groups. These measures are designed to be used by healthcare providers for quality improvement efforts, public reporting or pay-for-performance programs.
The new performance measures are:
- The percentage of adult patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) on guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) at time of hospital discharge.
- The percentage of adult patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and hypertension with optimal blood pressure control.
- The percentage of adult patients with symptomatic HFrEF prescribed SGLT2 inhibitors within the last 12 months. This includes inpatients at time of hospital discharge and outpatients.
6 new quality measures for treating heart failure
The new quality measures, the writing group explained, “may not have as much evidence base and generally comprise metrics that may be useful for local quality improvement, but are not yet appropriate for public reporting or pay-for-performance programs.” Over time, as more data become available, it is possible for quality measures to graduate and become recommended performance measures to be used for quality improvement efforts, public reporting or pay-for-performance programs.
The new quality measures are:
- Percentage of adult patients with HFpEF or heart failure with mildly reduced ejection fraction (HFmrEF) prescribed SGLT2 inhibitors within the last 12 months. This includes inpatients at time of hospital discharge and outpatients.
- Percentage of adult heart failure patients screened for social determinants of health and given documented actions to close any gaps.
- Percentage of adult patients with heart failure or a cardiomyopathy who could become pregnant and are given counseling regarding pregnancy and cardiovascular risks.
- Percentage of adult patients with prior HFrEF and current heart failure with improved ejection fraction (HFimpEF) who are prescribed GDMT as needed in the outpatient setting.
- Percentage of adult patients with HFrEF and severe mitral regurgitation receiving optimal GDMT prior to mitral valve transcatheter edge-to-edge repair.
- Percentage of adult patients getting bone scintigraphy scanning for suspected cardiac amyloidosis that undergo serum and urine monoclonal protein screening.
No other major changes or removals
After a thorough review, the committee decided not to edit or remove any performance or quality measures from the last document published in 2020.
Read the full update here.
Michael has more than 16 years of experience as a professional writer and editor. He has written at length about cardiology, radiology, artificial intelligence and other key healthcare topics.