Clinical Measures:
Opening Blocked Arteries Within 90 Minutes
What are we measuring and why?
Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is a way to open blocked heart arteries. A balloon catheter is inserted into the affected artery and is then inflated to open the blockage. This widens the artery, and lets blood flow more easily. Research shows that performing PCI in less than 90 minutes after a patient’s arrival at the hospital can lead to better outcomes for patients who are having certain types of heart attacks. We track this “door to balloon time” to be sure we provide care to these patients as quickly as possible.
How are we doing and how do we compare to best practice?
The Joint Commission* has established a benchmark of 90 minutes from door-to-balloon time. The Joint Commission national average for reaching this benchmark is 93%. Partners HealthCare hospitals reach this goal 87% of the time.
What are we doing to improve?
We track performance, train staff and shave seconds off each step along the way. By doing so, our doctors at Brigham and Women's and Massachusetts General hospitals and the North Shore Medical Center keep improving our door-to-balloon time. We also help Emergency Medical Services staff in the field more accurately diagnose patients and alert our care teams so that we can take quick action when the patient arrives.
* The Joint Commission is the nation’s leading organization dedicated to healthcare quality in hospitals. It has created National Hospital Quality Measures in many areas. These are practices proven to ensure the best possible outcomes for patients.
Charts for Opening Blocked Arteries Within 90 Minutes
- Current Scores
- Scores Over Time
- Current Scores
- Scores Over Time
Percent of Eligible Patients Receiving PCI Under 90 Minutes
Partners HealthCare Data Period: April - June 2011
Newton-Wellesley Hospital and Faulkner Hospital are not listed because those hospitals do not have cardiac catheterization labs where PCI is performed.
Partners HealthCare Source: Partners HealthCare High Performance Medicine
Reference Point Source: The Joint Commission National Average, Apr 10 - Mar 11
Percent of Eligible Patients Receiving PCI Under 90 Minutes
Newton-Wellesley Hospital and Faulkner Hospital are not listed because those hospitals do not have cardiac catheterization labs where PCI is performed.
Partners HealthCare Source: Partners HealthCare High Performance Medicine
Reference Point Source: The Joint Commission National Average, Apr 10 - Mar 11
Percent of Eligible Patients Receiving PCI Under 90 Minutes
Partners HealthCare Data Period: April - June 2011
Newton-Wellesley Hospital and Faulkner Hospital are not listed because those hospitals do not have cardiac catheterization labs where PCI is performed.
Partners HealthCare Source: Partners HealthCare High Performance Medicine
Reference Point Source: The Joint Commission National Average, Apr 10 - Mar 11
Percent of Eligible Patients Receiving PCI Under 90 Minutes
Newton-Wellesley Hospital and Faulkner Hospital are not listed because those hospitals do not have cardiac catheterization labs where PCI is performed.
Partners HealthCare Source: Partners HealthCare High Performance Medicine
Reference Point Source: The Joint Commission National Average, Apr 10 - Mar 11