Heart Failure

Sparks’ Core Measures

Congestive Heart Failure

Lack of widespread information regarding the symptoms of Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) is one of the barriers to effectively diagnosing and treating patients. As with many diseases, early detection and quality treatment are the cornerstones of successful treatment.

Medicare and Joint Commission have requested hospitals manager processes related to Heart Attack treatment and to collect and submit data pertaining to these processes. Medicare has termed these treatments as ‘Core Measures’ and these treatments can aid in maximizing the likelihood of survival after the onset of Heart Attack symptoms. These measures include:

  •    •Evaluation of left ventricular systolic function, typically identified by an echocardiogram or in conjunction with a heart catheterization.
  •    •If a diagnosis of left ventricular systolic dysfunction is found, then the patient, if not contraindicate, would receive certain medications
  •    •Smoking cessation counseling.
  •    •Providing patients with clear and complete discharge instructions

To view Sparks’ CHF Core Measures Data please click here. To compare Sparks with other healthcare facilities in this region or to learn more about quality measures, you may visit Medicare’s Hospital Compare website by clicking here.