San Diego, California — Multiple structural and process factors such as staff experience, documentation practices, and protocol adherence differentiate cardiac catheterization laboratories that achieve accreditation through Accreditation for Cardiovascular Excellence (ACE) from those that did not initially achieve accreditation, according to findings from a new analysis. In total, the analysis identified 6 structural standards and 12 process standards that separated ACE-accredited facilities from those failing to achieve ACE accreditation.

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 structural and process differences between facility types, the research team compared ACE-accredited facilities (n=20) and facilities that did not meet the rigorous standards for ACE accreditation (n=4). Based a full facility review, each facility was graded on the degree of standard adherence: met, partially met, or not met.

"We found that ACE-accredited cardiac catheterization laboratories were significantly more likely than non-accredited facilities to meet the highest-quality standards for more than a dozen structural and process-related factors," Dr. Weiner said. "These data clarify and support the critical role of ACE accreditation in assisting facilities to provide excellent cardiovascular care."

Among structural features, ACE-accredited facilities were more likely than non-accredited facilities to have a medical director with at least 5 years of experience (95% vs. 50%; p<0.03) and board certification in interventional cardiology (95% vs. 50%; p<0.02). In addition, nursing supervisor roles were more likely to be well defined in ACE-accredited than non-accredited facilities (100% vs. 50%; p=0.001).

ACE-accredited facilities were more likely than non-accredited facilities to meet process standards such as adherence to existing policies and procedures (95% vs. 50%; p=0.004), having preliminary procedure notes completed (80% vs. 25%; p<0.04), and appropriately performing and reporting left ventriculography (65% vs. 25%; p<0.05).

An updated analysis of the full study, entitled "What Structure and Process 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 Structure and Process Characteristics Identify ACE Accredited Catheterization Laboratories? SCAI 2015 Scientific Sessions. Abstract 13849.