Improving Indicators in a Brazilian Hospital Through Quality-Improvement Programs Based on STS Database Reports

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE: To report the initial changes after quality-improvement programs based on STS-database in a Brazilian hospital. METHODS: Since 2011 a Brazilian hospital has joined STS-Database and in 2012 multifaceted actions based on STS reports were implemented aiming reductions in the time of mechanical ventilation and in the intensive care stay and also improvements in evidence-based perioperative therapies among patients who underwent coronary artery bypass graft surgeries. RESULTS: All the 947 patients submitted to coronary artery bypass graft surgeries from July 2011 to June 2014 were analyzed and there was an improvement in all the three target endpoints after the implementation of the quality-improvement program but the reduction in time on mechanical ventilation was not statistically significant after adjusting for prognostic characteristics. CONCLUSION: The initial experience with STS registry in a Brazilian hospital was associated with improvement in most of targeted quality-indicators.

Impacto inicial de uma clínica de insuficiência cardíaca em hospital cardiológico privado / Initial impact of a disease management program on heart failure in a private cardiology hospital

Fundamentos: A insuficiência cardíaca ainda leva a hospitalizações frequentes apesar dos notáveis avanços terapêuticos. Programas que monitoram e otimizam cuidados têm potencial para melhorar o controle desses pacientes apesar de evidências ainda controversas quanto ao seu real benefício. Objetivos: Caracterizar a população incluída em clínica de insuficiência cardíaca e avaliar a hipótese de benefícios a curto prazo (seis meses). Métodos: Estudo prospectivo que avaliou pacientes hospitalizados com insuficiência cardíaca em hospital privado cardiológico de janeiro a dezembro 2012. Os pacientes foram estratificados em: Grupo 1 – pacientes pré-Programa de cuidados (feito apenas registro de dados); Grupo 2 – pacientes pós-Programa (registro dos mesmos dados junto com intervenções educativas feitas pelo programa de cuidados da Clínica de Insuficiência Cardíaca). Analisadas características da população, indicadores de qualidade e desfechos clínicos. Resultados: Avaliados 762 pacientes, média de idade 70,4±11,0 anos, 56,0 % do sexo masculino. Fração de ejeção reduzida observada em 65,0 %, perfil hemodinâmico B em 66,0 %, etiologia isquêmica em 52,0 % e infecção como fator de descompensação em 29,0 % dos casos. Desfechos analisados nos Grupos 1 e 2, respectivamente: re-hospitalização em 30 dias (13,0 % vs. 9,0 %; p=0,10); tempo médio de hospitalização (9,0 dias vs. 8,4 dias; p=0,4); descompensação por má aderência (17,0 % vs. 10,0 %; p=0,004); mortalidade hospitalar (9,0 % vs. 8,0 %; p=0,7).

Background: Heart failure still leads to frequent hospitalizations despite notable therapeutic advances. Programs that monitor and optimize care have the potential to enhance control of these patients, although evidence of their real benefits is still controversial. Objectives: To describe the population with heart failure included in a Clinical Care Program, assessing the hypothesis of short-term benefits (6 months). Methods: Prospective study assessing heart failure patients in a private cardiology hospital from January to December 2012, divided into two groups: Group 1 – pre-Care Program patients with only data recorded; Group 2 – post-Care Program patients with the same data recorded, together with educational interventions through the Care Program run by the Heart Failure Clinic. The demographic characteristics of the population were analyzed, together with quality indicators and clinical outcomes. Results: Among the 762 patients assessed, the mean age was 70.4±11.0 years, with 56.0% male. Reduced ejection fraction was noted in 65.0%, hemodynamic profile B in 66.0%, ischemic etiology in 52.0% and infection as a decompensation factor in 29.0% of cases. The outcomes analyzed in Groups 1 and 2 were, respectively: hospital readmissions within 30 days (13.0% vs. 9.0%; p=0.1); average length of stay (9.0 days vs. 8.4 days, p=0.4); decompensation due to poor compliance (17.0% vs. 10.0%; p=0.004); and in-hospital mortality (9.0% vs. 8.0%; p=0.7).