Heart failure is a uniquely appropriate target for quality improvement
efforts. It is a common disease in the elderly, accounting for more
hospital admissions than any other diagnosis in patients over the
age of 65. The prevalence of heart failure is rising dramatically
with the aging of the U.S. population. In addition, heart failure
is associated with 20 to 30 percent one-year mortality rates in
the elderly and causes significant functional limitation. Estimates
of annual expenditures on heart failure in the United States range
from $10 billion to $40 billion.
Main Objective:
To decrease the morbidity and mortality associated with heart failure
in Medicare beneficiaries.
Process Objective:
To increase the use of the following care processes for patients
hospitalized with heart failure:
Appropriate diagnostic tests to evaluate left ventricular systolic
function (LVSF) in heart failure
Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) for heart failure
patients with a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) less
than 40 percent
Smoking cessation counseling during hospitalization
Comprehensive discharge instructions to patients hospitalized
with heart failure
