Scott & White Receives 2007 VHA Leadership Award

For excellent performance on core measures for acute myocardial infarction (AMI)

VHA recently recognized Scott & White as a winner of the 2007 VHA Leadership Award for Clinical Excellence. VHA Inc., a national health care provider alliance based in Irving, has recognized Scott & White for its excellence in performance measures related to acute myocardial infarction (AMI). This award honors organizations that have differentiated themselves around national performance standards by achieving exceptionally high levels of performance. Scott & White met this high standard through its performance on clinical core measures for AMI.

"Not only do we need to meet patient expectations for service but our own expectations for quality and safety, which is a never ending challenge," said Scott & White President and CEO Dr. Alfred Knight. "Quality is a team effort across medical disciplines, services, divisions and out/in patient care. Our patients are the winners from the great work."

The AMI team is led by John Erwin, M.D. Rob Pisciotta is the Operational Lead, and Jan Bartz and Melody Flores provide data and facilitation support.

The best practice standards for cardiac care are divided according to the cardiac problem that is being treated. For heart attack– AMI–the standards include:

• Aspirin prescribed at time of patient's arrival
• Aspirin prescribed at time of patient's discharge
• ACE inhibitors or beta blocker administration for left ventricular systolic dysfunction
• Adult smoking cessation advice/counseling provided to patient prior to discharge
• Beta blocker prescribed at time of patient's arrival
• Beta blocker prescribed at time of patient's discharge
• Amount of time until thrombolysis administered
• Amount of time until percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) administered

Scott & White achieved at least a 90 percent compliance with all rate-based indicators to qualify for the award. And, the median time until percutaneous coronary intervention was administered to the patient was equal to or less than 120 minutes. Scott & White's average time is less than 90 minutes.

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