Heart Failure Measures

• Heart Failure Home
• LVS Function
• Ace Inhibitor or ARB
• Smoking Cessation Information
• Discharge Instructions
• Readmission Rate
• Mortality Rate
• Quality Measures Home

Heart Failure Quality Measures

Choose a measure below to see scores for HealthEast hospitals
(St. Joseph's, St. John's and Woodwinds), as well as the average for Minnesota hospitals and top hospitals in the nation. Also, learn more about the measures and why they are important.

For patients with heart failure, find out about the:

• Percent of patients given an evaluation to check how the heart is pumping (LVS function)
  
  
• Percent of patients given ACE Inhibitors or ARBs (medication) for left ventricular systolic dysfunction
  
  
• Percent of patients given smoking cessation information
  
  
• Percent of patients given discharge instructions
  
  
• Readmission rate
  
  
• Mortality rate
  
  

What contributes to our high scores?

HealthEast Heart Care has consistently high scores. For heart failure, we attribute this to:

• An integrated team approach, where doctors, nurses and staff work closely and collaboratively.
  
  
• A team approach that's paired with evidence-based (proven) tools to give patients the best chance for a good outcome.
  
  
• Support and counseling for patients who need help to
  quit smoking.
  
  
• Our unique Heart Failure Rehabilitation Program which combines a medically supervised exercise program with education, medication and diet.
  
  
• Consistent care after discharge through HealthEast Home Care, for those who qualify. For those who don't qualify, we offer a Telebuddy System so patients still get the care, support and education they need.

About congestive heart failure

Heart failure is a weakening of the heart's pumping power. With heart failure, your body doesn’t get enough oxygen and nutrients to meet its needs. Your heart tries to pump more blood, but the muscle walls become weaker over time.

Symptoms of heart failure may include:

• Shortness of breath from fluid in the lungs
• Swelling (such as in legs, ankles or abdomen)
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Weakness
• Cold or clammy skin
• A rapid or irregular heartbeat

Heart failure can be a result of heart condition due to:

• Hardening of the arteries, also known as coronary artery disease,
• A heart attack,
• Cardiomyopathy (heart muscle damage from infection or alcohol or drug abuse), or
• An overworked heart (caused over time by conditions like high blood pressure, kidney disease, diabetes, or a defect from birth)

Description above from the United States Department of Health & Human Services Hospital Compare web site: www.hospitalcompare.hhs.gov