The Issue
Cardiovascular diseases are a leading cause of sickness and death among adults around the world, with disease management strategies and outcomes varying within and between nations. Quantitative information on management strategies, outcomes, and prognoses would provide insights to understand and address this variation.
What the Study Found
Commonwealth Fund–supported researchers describe the work undertaken by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development's Cardiac Care Panel to select quality indicators for cardiac care. Among 61 potential indicators chosen through literature search, review of national measurement systems, and nominations from participating countries, panelists selected 17 indicators. This set, chosen through a modified Delphi process based on the scientific soundness and importance of the indicators, relate to acute coronary syndromes, cardiac interventions, secondary prevention, and congestive heart failure.
Conclusions
The 17 indicators are a comprehensive set of quality indicators for the most relevant areas of cardiovascular care, the authors conclude. Still, there are gaps in the area of primary prevention, particularly related to rapidly changing technology and improving treatment options.
