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 AHRQ Announces Webcast on Health Outcomes of Carotid Revascularization (posted: 07/23/10)
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) will report findings from a recent study on health outcomes of carotid revascularization via a Webcast on Thursday, August 19, at 12:00 p.m. Eastern. This 45-minute session will include a panel discussion and question-and-answer session. Individuals who are interested in learning more or in participating in this free live webcast should visit www.effectivehealthcare.gov.
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New Study to Examine Post-Discharge Care Patterns and Treatment Adherence in AMI Patients (posted: 07/23/10)
The American College of Cardiology Foundation (ACCF) and Duke Clinical Research Institute (DCRI) are leading a study that will examine post-discharge care patterns and treatment adherence, and evaluate the safety, effectiveness, and healthcare costs of antiplatelet therapy use among contemporary AMI patient populations treated with PCI.
Designed to build on CathPCI Registry® data, hospitals currently participating in the registry are invited to contact the NCDR at (800) 257-4737 or ncdr@acc.org for more information.
The TRANSLATE-ACS Study is sponsored by Daiichi Sankyo, Inc. and Lilly USA, LLC
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Published National Analysis from ACTION Registry®-GWTGTM and CathPCI Registry< (posted: 07/14/10)
A new study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC), titled “Treatments, Trends, and Outcomes of Acute Myocardial Infarction and Percutaneous Coronary Intervention,” shows impressive improvements in the quality of care delivered to heart attack patients. Examining data from the NCDR’s ACTION Registry-GWTG and CathPCI Registry, researchers discovered that more than ever before, cardiac care providers are delivering proven therapies quickly, safely and according to clinical guidelines. For more information about the results of the study, visit Cardiosource.org.
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Results Based on PINNACLE Registry™ Data Published in JACC (posted: 06/25/10)
The manuscript titled “Cardiac Performance Measure Compliance in Outpatients” has been published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC). Based on data from the PINNACLE Registry, the manuscript represents the first time findings from a cardiovascular outpatient registry have been published on a national scale. Providing insights into the quality of outpatient cardiac care in the U.S., the paper’s lead author Paul S. Chan, M.D., F.A.C.C., and colleagues examined compliance with performance measures for physicians participating in the NCDR’s PINNACLE Registry. For more information about the findings, click here. A Journal Scan is also available on CardioSource.
The PINNACLE Registry is the nation’s largest ambulatory quality improvement registry with close to 1 million patient records and more than 1,000 participating physicians. Participation is free, offers multiple methods of data submission, and provides practices with quarterly benchmark reports that validate quality care and pinpoint opportunities for improvement. For information on enrolling in the PINNACLE Registry, visit PINNACLEregistry.org.
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Study Based on CathPCI Registry® Data Published in JAMA (posted: 06/02/10)
A study based on NCDR data, "Association Between Use of Bleeding Avoidance Strategies and Risk of Periprocedural Bleeding Among Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention," has been published in the June 2 issue of The Journal of American Medicine (JAMA). Analyzing data from the NCDR’s CathPCI Registry, lead author Steven P. Marso, M.D., and colleagues studied bleeding rates after PCI associated with the use of manual compression, vascular closure devices, bivalirudin, or both strategies (vascular closure devices plus bivalirudin) in patients across a spectrum of preprocedural bleeding risk. The findings can inform health care providers that assessing an individual’s risk at the time of PCI and delivering proven bleeding avoidance strategies based on risk level may help improve the safety of PCI. For more information about the results of the study, see Cardiosource.
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Maryland Mandates the CathPCI Registry® and ACTION Registry®-GWTGTM (posted: 05/06/10)
The Maryland Health Care Commission (MHCC) recently instituted reporting requirements for all Maryland hospitals, stipulating enrollment in two NCDR registries – the ACTION Registry GWTG and the CathPCI Registry. The mandate will allow the MHCC to review data collected on the treatment of acute coronary syndrome patients in the state and apply it toward patient care and outcomes improvement efforts. Through analysis of data collected, the ACTION Registry GWTG and the CathPCI Registry assess adherence to guidelines in the treatment of STEMI and NSTEMI patients and the outcomes of patients who receive diagnostic catheterization and/or PCI procedures, respectively.
Maryland is the first state to mandate the use of the ACTION Registry-GWTG. Several additional states are in the process of considering similar actions – demonstrating the quality, relevance to clinical practice and the scientific rigor behind the NCDR’s data measures. States are increasingly recognizing the NCDR as the leading authority in cardiovascular data collection and as the source for credible, science-based reporting.
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Obtain ABIM Part IV MOC credit through a free performance improvement activity (posted: 05/05/10)
The American College of Cardiology Foundation has announced a new educational initiative that will give practitioners the power to customize their own learning experience based on the data from their hospital. Keeping PACE combines the power of the NCDR®’s clinical registries with its internationally renowned education. Following the American Medical Association PI-CME process, which begins with data review and self assessment, healthcare providers participate in at least one targeted educational intervention as well as develop a plan for improving care, and, finally, a reassessment of performance data to measure their progress and compare results with other clinicians nationwide. This activity is intended for cardiologists, nurses, physician assistants and other members of the healthcare team involved in the treatment of ACS patients and affiliated with the NCDR’s ACTION Registry®-GWTGTM hospital. For more information, please visit www.cardiosource.com/piacs.
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CathPCI Registry® Reaches 10 Million Patient Records (posted: 05/03/10)
The NCDR is proud to announce that the CathPCI Registry has reached a major milestone. The registry's database now contains more than 10 million patient records. For participants, this growth translates into a more robust data set, providing increasingly valuable benchmarking reports and more meaningful outcomes comparisons. This large volume of records also broadens opportunities for research, making the CathPCI Registry even more valuable in helping to answer healthcare delivery and clinical questions regarding diagnostic catheterization and PCI procedures. To watch a video of John Rumsfeld, M.D., F.A.C.C., NCDR chief medical officer, discussing the registries, click here.
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Study Based on CathPCI Registry® Data Featured in JACC (posted: 04/09/10)
This week, JACC, the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, published the expedited study, “Contemporary Mortality Risk Prediction for Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: Results From 588,398 Procedures in the National Cardiovascular Data Registry.” The study attempted to identify PCI risk factors and accurately quantify procedural risks to facilitate comparative effectiveness research (CER), provider comparisons and informed patient decision making. Results showed that multiple pre-procedural clinical factors were significantly associated with in-hospital mortality.
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ICD RegistryTM V2.0 Expansion Covered in EP Lab Digest (posted: 04/08/10)
EP Lab Digest recently published an article discussing the ICD Registry's April 1, 2010 expansion. The article, titled "The NCDR® ICD Registry™ Version 2.0: Update and Inclusion of Pediatric ICDs and Implanted Leads," provides an overview of the ICD Registry, the reasons behind the expansion and the advantages the expanded data set will provide. Please click here to view the full article,
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CREST Trial Shows Stenting Equally as Safe and Effective as Surgery (posted: 03/09/10)
The Carotid Revascularization Endarterectomy versus Stenting Trial (CREST), a randomized clinical trial of surgery vs. stenting in 2,502 patients at more than 100 hospitals in the U.S. and Canada, showed comparable safety and efficacy for the two methods. Results from this much-anticipated clinical trial highlight the importance of participating in the CARE Registry® to collect and report data on both CAS and CEA procedures in a real world setting. CARE Registry data helps clinicians make the best treatment decisions for their patients with Carotid Artery Disease. In addition, as the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services move toward potential expansion of reimbursement decisions for CAS procedures, it’s imperative to have the most accurate and complete data on safety and efficacy to help inform those decisions. For more information about the CARE Registry, click here.
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NCDR’s ACTION Registry-GWTG releases new Limited version (posted: 12/17/09)
The ACTION Registry-GWTG has announced the availability of its new Limited version. This pared down version of the ACTION Registry-GWTG is a 50% reduction in the data collection and was created to allow more hospitals to participate in the registry as well as the AHA's Mission: Lifeline Program. Current registry participants and new participants, who choose the more comprehensive version, will be designated as ACTION Registry-GWTG Premiere participants. ACTION Registry-GWTG Premier, which includes the registry’s most robust set of data elements, will remain the most comprehensive choice for monitoring data in ACS - looking at all the AMI Performance Measures, and all test measures, including dosing errors and lipid metrics.
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D2B Strategies Reduce MI Deaths (posted: 12/04/09)
Seventy five percent of participating hospitals in ACC’s Door-to-Balloon (D2B) Alliance by 2008 were able to treat ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction patients within 90 minutes, the Alliance’s goal, according to a new study from the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC). This data shows that the way care for heart attack patients is delivered can make a life or death difference. “The incredible success of the D2B Alliance represents aspects of the best of health care delivery in the U.S.; the integration of the highest medical science, technology and our medical community through the organization and integration of systems of care leading to seamless translation of evidence based medicine into clinical practice,” says ACC President-Elect Ralph Brindis, M.D., F.A.C.C. For more on the study, view the December 15 – 22 issue of JACC.
The study findings were also covered in The Boston Globe (12/2, Kowalczyk), USA Today (12/3, Sternberg) and HealthDay (12/2, Edelson).
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ACCF, AHA Unveil Updated Guidelines for STEMI, PCI (posted: 11/19/09)
The ACC Foundation, along with the American Heart Association and the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions, released a focused update that applies to two sets of Guidelines — the management of patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and the management of patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention. The update makes new recommendations to ensure patients reach lifesaving therapy for STEMI as quickly as possible.
The update recommends that each community develop a STEMI system for triage and transfer of patients that complies with the standards set forth by Mission Lifeline. The system should include destination protocols to STEMI Receiving Centers and transfer protocols for patients who arrive at STEMI Referral Centers and are primary PCI candidates and/or are fibrinolytic ineligible and/or in cardiogenic shock.
Another significant change recommended in the update is greater acceptance of PCI of the left main coronary artery. The update suggests it may be considered based on favorable anatomic condition and an increased risk of adverse surgical outcomes.
For more recommendations from the focused update, click here.
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Notice for Registry Participants (posted: 11/16/09)
Administrative, technical and training & orientation related news items are no longer posted on the Latest News sections of NCDR.com. All notices of this nature can be viewed under Important Announcements, found on each registry home page within the NCDR password protected Web site. Participants, please log in and visit this section for important registry-related announcements. Thank you.
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Register now for the 11th Annual NCDR Meeting! (posted: 11/03/09)
Registration is now open for the 11th Annual NCDR Meeting taking place on March 11 and 12, 2010, with preconferences on March 10. Building on previous years, the 2010 meeting promises to provide even more hands-on case studies, story boards, informative speakers, workshops and networking. As part of the 2010 renewal process, each NCDR participating facility is entitled one free registration per NCDR registry for which they are contracted, compliments of the NCDR. The promo code required to take advantage of this free registration has been sent by email to each participating facility’s registry site manager. Please follow these links to view the Meeting Agenda and to Register.
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The IC3 Program® officially becomes the PINNACLE RegistryTM (posted: 11/02/09)
After two years of mounting success with the IC3 Program pilot, the ACC’s NCDR® is pleased to announce that the IC3 Program is now the PINNACLE Registry. The PINNACLE Registry will continue to build on the success of the IC3 Program while serving as the foundation for the much larger PINNACLE NetworkTM, a suite of clinical and financial solutions designed to provide practices with the tools they need to promote practice innovations and achieve clinical excellence in this rapidly shifting business environment. Visit PINNACLEnetwork.org for more information.
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Breaking News (posted: 10/08/09)
The ACTION Registry-GWTG methodology paper; A Call to ACTION (Acute Coronary Treatment and Intervention Outcomes Network) A National Effort to Promote Timely Clinical Feedback and Support Continuous Quality Improvement for Acute Myocardial Infarction, has been published in the October, 2009 issue of Circulation: Cardiovascular and Quality Outcomes. The paper is available for review at this link. Contact the NCDR service center at 800-257-4737 with any questions.
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ACC and STS receive grant to study comparative effectiveness of PCI and CABG (posted: 10/07/09)
The American College of Cardiology (ACC) in partnership with The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) has been awarded a grant by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to study the comparative effectiveness of the two forms of coronary revascularization; percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery.
This study, led by our own Drs. Bill Weintraub (CathPCI Registry Chair) and Fred Edwards (STS PI), will compare catheter-based and surgery-based procedures using the NCDR®’s CathPCI Registry® and STS’s Adult Cardiac Surgery Database, as well as the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ MEDPAR data. By linking these three databases, the study will help physicians make better decisions and improve healthcare for patients with coronary artery disease.
Click here for the full press release.
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Share the CardioSmart eNewsletter with your Patients (posted: 10/03/09)
Share the latest news on cardiovascular disease with your patients with CardioSmart’s" new biweekly eNewsletter.
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The EASIEST Test You'll Ever Take (posted: 09/01/09)
Are you at risk of developing diabetes? Nearly 24 million people in the United States have it, but a surprising 5 million (or more) don't even know it. To assess your risk - and learn more about the disease and its effects - visit diabetes.org. The site's simple 8-question test can even suggest your level of risk: pre-diabetes, at risk, or Type 2 level. Click on the Nutrition tab and go to Lifestyle & Prevention to access the test.
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Class I Recall of Abbott Catheter (posted: 08/25/09)
Abbott and the Food and Drug Administration have issued a national Class1 recall of four lots of POWERSAIL Coronary Dilatation Catheters after complaints that the distal shaft of the catheter exhibited damage. This damage could lead to catheter functional failures and air embolism and myocardial infarction. Customers with questions should call the company at 1-800-227-9902. Any adverse reactions experienced with this product, and/or quality problems should be reported to the FDA's MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online or by phone at 1-800-332-1088.
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Annual Meeting Questions Answered (posted: 08/21/09)
All the questions that were submitted during the 10th NCDR Annual Meeting that was held in Orlando this year and their answers have been posted. (link) They have been placed in an Excel format and sorted by topic (note the tabs on the bottom of the Excel page). Please feel free to peruse them even if you did not attend the Annual Meeting. We hope that you find them helpful.
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NCDR IMPACT Registry™ featured in Wall Street Journal article (posted: 08/18/09)
The NCDR's IMPACT Registry™ recently gained some important national recognition in an article published in The Wall Street Journal on Wednesday, August 12. The article, titled “Little Hearts, Big Problems,” highlighted the plight of congenital heart disease (CHD) physicians and patients who struggle with a lack of both evidence and technology. Acknowledging that “hardly any of the myriad drugs and devices developed for the multibillion-dollar market for cardiovascular disease are designed with kids in mind,” the article goes on to discuss the role the Registry will play in addressing this issue. Gerard Martin, M.D., F.A.C.C., was quoted in the article discussing the soon-to-launch IMPACT Registry: “‘We hope IMPACT will become the standard by which safety and quality are judged for hospitals’ that treat congenital defects, says Gerard R. Martin, co-director of the Children’s National Heart Institute in Washington, who heads the registry effort. Dr. Martin expects the registry will eventually enable doctors to see whether surgery or less-invasive catheter-based procedures achieve better results for a variety of heart defects,” the article says.
Filling in some of the gaps in research will be NCDR’s IMPACT Registry™ (For Improving Pediatric and Adult Congenital Treatment). The IMPACT Registry will assess the prevalence, demographics, management and outcomes of pediatric and adult patients with congenital heart disease who are undergoing diagnostic catheterizations and catheter-based interventions. The IMPACT Registry will provide significant contributions to the knowledge base and outcomes associated with congenital heart disease. For more information, visit: http://www.impact.ncdr.com.
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National Comparative Effectiveness Summit, Washington, DC (posted: 08/17/09)
This conference, which was held on September 16 and 17, 2009 will be archived online for six months. Please follow this link to learn more: A Hybrid Conference and Internet Event
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Stroke Statistics Available (posted: 08/17/09)
Do you ever need a statistic on the number of African-Americans who may have a stroke this year? The American Heart Association provides an updated comprehensive compilation of national statistics on heart disease, stroke and risk factors in the Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics 2009 Update. It's free online at americanheart.org. In addition to statistics, the Update includes charts and graphs and is revised every year in January with the most up-to-date statistics. An At-A-Glance version is available also.
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Pfizer Announces Patient Assistance Program (posted: 06/18/09)
Pfizer recently announced a new patient assistance program for people who lost their jobs in 2009. The program, called MAINTAIN (Medicines Assistance for those In Need) is designed to help recently unemployed Americans and their families who have lost their insurance and who are taking Pfizer medicines to continue treatment at no cost for up to one year. The program will be open for enrollment through December 31, 2009 and applies to eligible Americans who have become unemployed since January 1, 2009.
*Download the Fact Sheet
*Download a printable Patient Flyer
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Acute Stroke Review (posted: 02/04/09)
Presented by Russell Brandwein, RPA-C, Physician Assistant, Center for Interventional Vascular Therapy (CIVT) New York-Presbyterian Hospital Columbia University Medical Center on Monday, October 13, 2008 at the 17th Annual Nurse & Technoligist Symposium at the TCT2008 Conference.
Click Here to download the presentation
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