Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT: Background
The treatment of heart failure (HF) is complex and the prognosis remains serious. A range of strategies is used across health care systems to improve the quality of care for HF patients. We present results from a nationwide multidisciplinary initiative to monitor and improve the quality of care and clinical outcome of HF patients using indicator monitoring combined with systematic auditing.Methods
We conducted a nationwide, population-based prospective study using data from the Danish Heart Failure Registry. The registry systematically monitors and audits the use of guideline recommended processes of care at Danish hospital departments treating incident HF patients. We identified patients registered between 2003 and 2010 (n?=?24,504) and examined changes in use of recommended processes of care and 1-year mortality.Results
The use of the majority of the recommended processes of care increased substantially from 2003 to 2010: echocardiography (from 62.7% to 90.5%; Relative Risk (RR) 1.45 (95% CI, 1.39-1.50)), New York Heart Association classification (from 29.4% to 85.5%; RR 2.91 (95% CI, 2.69-3.14)), betablockers (from 72.6% to 88.3%; RR 1.23 (95% CI, 1.15-1.29)), physical training (from 5.6% to 22.8%; RR 4.04 (95% CI, 2.96-4.52)), and patient education (from 49.3% to 81.4%; RR 1.65 (95% CI, 1.52-1.80)). Use of ACE/ATII inhibitors remained stable (from 92.0% to 93.2%; RR 1.01 (95% CI, 0.99-1.04)). During the same period, 1-year mortality dropped from 20.5% to 12.8% (adjusted Hazard Ratio 0.79 (95% CI, 0.65-0.96).Conclusions
Use of guideline recommended processes of care has improved among patients with incident HF included in the Danish Heart Failure Registry between 2003 and 2010. During the same period, a decrease in mortality was observed.
SUBMITTER: Nakano A
PROVIDER: S-EPMC3851278 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Oct
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Nakano Anne A Johnsen Søren Paaske SP Frederiksen Birgitte Lidegaard BL Svendsen Marie Louise ML Agger Carsten C Schjødt Inge I Egstrup Kenneth K
BMC health services research 20131005
<h4>Background</h4>The treatment of heart failure (HF) is complex and the prognosis remains serious. A range of strategies is used across health care systems to improve the quality of care for HF patients. We present results from a nationwide multidisciplinary initiative to monitor and improve the quality of care and clinical outcome of HF patients using indicator monitoring combined with systematic auditing.<h4>Methods</h4>We conducted a nationwide, population-based prospective study using data ...[more]