Appropriate and Timely Treatment for Heart Attack
When the blood flow in the arteries to the heart is completely blocked, part of the heart muscle dies. This causes an acute myocardial infarction (heart attack).
Prescribing ACE Inhibitors and ARBs on Discharge
What are we measuring?
The percentage of patients who receive an ACE Inhibitor or ARB on discharge.
Why is this important?
Heart attack patients benefit from the use of medicines known as ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme) Inhibitors and ARBs (angiotensin receptor blockers) to treat heart attacks, heart failure, or a decreased function of the heart. These medicines block a hormone in the body that is responsible for causing the blood vessels to narrow. They can significantly reduce the risk of death after a heart attack.
What is our performance telling us?
BIDMC reports its performance on this measure every quarter to the US Department of Health & Human Services, which posts this information on its website at Hospital Compare. The chart below shows BIDMC's most recent quarterly performance, compared to the performance of the nation's Top 10% hospitals. Look for big differences in the scores in order to be sure the difference is meaningful. Small differences may not reflect real differences in performance (i.e., they may not be statistically significant). 
Source of comparison data: HospitalCompare ( www.HospitalCompare.hhs.gov), Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, April, 2013.
View our past performance over time.
According to Hospital Compare, ( www.HospitalCompare.hhs.gov) 100% of patients having an acute heart attack at the nation's Top 10% of hospitals are given ACE Inhibitors or ARBs for left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD). At BIDMC, 100% of patients are given ACE Inhibitors or ARBs for LVSD. Therefore, BIDMC's performance below the top 10% of hospitals for prescribing ACE Inhibitors and ARBs at discharge for appropriate patients.
What are we doing to improve our performance?
BIDMC reviews every individual case where we fall below recommended practice and looks for ways to more consistently provide the right care and the right documentation of the care.
Administering Aspirin on Arrival
What are we measuring?
The percentage of patients who receive an aspirin on arrival at the hospital.
Why is this important?
Aspirin is an inexpensive, safe, and effective treatment for heart attack. While not appropriate for all patients, aspirin can help keep blood clots from forming and dissolve blood clots that can cause heart attacks.
What is our performance telling us?
BIDMC reports its performance on this measure every quarter to the US Department of Health & Human Services, which posts this information on its website at Hospital Compare. The chart below shows BIDMC's most recent quarterly performance, compared to the performance of the nation's Top 10% hospitals. Look for big differences in the scores in order to be sure the difference is meaningful. Small differences may not reflect real differences in performance (i.e., they may not be statistically significant). 
Source of comparison data: HospitalCompare ( www.HospitalCompare.hhs.gov), Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, April, 2013.
View our past performance over time.
According to Hospital Compare ( www.HospitalCompare.hhs.gov), 100% of patients having an acute heart attack at the nation's top 10% of hospitals are given aspirin on the time of arrival. At BIDMC, 100% of patients are also given aspirin on arrival. Therefore, BIDMC's performance is among the Top 10% for timely administration of aspirin to heart attack patients.
Other useful specific services measures:
Last updated: April 5, 2013