San Diego, California — Performance on multiple outcomes measures differed significantly between cardiac catheterization laboratories that achieved accreditation through Accreditation for Cardiovascular Excellence (ACE) and those that did not initially achieve accreditation, according to findings from a new study. Overall, outcomes on 11 measures related to appropriate use criteria (AUC), procedural findings, and other metrics were significantly different between invasive cardiac cases performed at accredited versus non-accredited facilities.

Bonnie H. Weiner, MD, MSEC, MBA, MSCAI, FACC, will present results from the study at the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI) 2015 Scientific Sessions in San Diego, May 6-9.

To identify potential performance differences between facility types, the investigators compared case data from 1445 patients undergoing invasive cardiac procedures at 20 ACE-accredited facilities to data from 445 patients treated at 4 facilities that did not meet the rigorous standards for ACE accreditation. All case review data were entered into a uniform case report form and analyzed with standard statistical software (JMP® 11.2.0).

"We found statistically significant differences across multiple performance domains that distinguish the invasive procedures performed at ACE-accredited cardiac catheterization laboratories from those performed at non-accredited facilities," Dr. Weiner said. "These findings demonstrate that ACE-accredited facilities are delivering quality cardiac care that is more likely to be consistent with national standards of cardiovascular excellence."

The invasive procedures performed at ACE-accredited facilities were more likely than those at non-accredited facilities to be characterized by diagnostic AUC scored as appropriate (74.1% vs. 57.7%; p<0.0001), adequate opacification (93.1% vs. 82.0%; p<0.0001), and adequate lesion characterization (91.3% vs. 83.8%; p<0.0001).

Standardizing the documentation and reporting of key procedural details is critically important for demonstrating appropriate use and medical necessity. Overall case assessments were significantly more likely to be deemed appropriate for the invasive cardiac procedures performed at ACE-accredited facilities compared with those performed at non-accredited facilities (73.6% vs. 63.1%; p<0.0001).

An updated analysis of the full study, entitled "What Outcome Characteristics Identify ACE Accredited Catheterization Laboratories?," will be presented as an electronic poster on May 7, 2015.

Source:

Weiner BH, Dehmer GJ, Brindis RG, et al. What Outcome Characteristics Identify ACE Accredited Catheterization Laboratories? SCAI 2015 Scientific Sessions. Abstract 13862.