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(Circulation. 2000;101:e122.)
© 2000 American Heart Association, Inc.

Circulation Electronic Pages

Evaluating Quality of Care for Patients With Heart Failure

Harlan M. Krumholz, MD, Chair; David W. Baker, MD, MPH, Cochair; Carol M. Ashton, MD; Sandra B. Dunbar, RN, DSN; Gottlieb C. Friesinger, MD; Edward P. Havranek, MD; Mark A. Hlatky, MD; Marvin Konstam, MD; Diana L. Ordin; Ileana L. Pina, MD; Betram Pitt, MD; John A. Spertus, MD, MPH

Key Words: AHA/ACC Conference Proceedings • heart failure • stroke • cardiovascular disease

	Introduction

 
The First American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology Scientific Forum on Quality of Care and Outcomes Research in Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke was held from May 24 to May 26, 1999, in San Diego, Calif. In this report, the Heart Failure Working Group examines efforts to assess care for patients with heart failure (HF) and makes recommendations about quality measures. The working group includes healthcare professionals (cardiologists, general internists, and nurses) from academia. Representatives of governmental agencies, industry, and healthcare systems also have input. The group has expertise in the treatment of HF and/or quality improvement. Several panel members have participated in writing guidelines for management of HF, and several were involved in the 1994 effort by the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research (AHCPR) to develop guidelines for management of patients with HF and left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction.

In its effort to develop recommendations for evaluating quality of care, the working group reviewed the literature and evaluated ongoing national efforts in this area. These efforts and specific issues related to measuring structure, process, and outcome of care are reviewed here. This report is intended to provide information for future efforts by national or local organizations to develop quality measures, define research priorities for funding agencies by indicating gaps in current knowledge, and summarize current issues in this field for persons interested in improving the care and outcomes of patients with HF.

	Heart Failure

 
There is no universally accepted definition of heart failure. HF is a clinical syndrome manifested by . . . [Full Text of this Article]

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