Heart Attack Process of Care Measures

Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI) Process of Care Measures
A heart attack (also called AMI or acute myocardial infarction) happens when the arteries leading to the heart become blocked and the blood supply is slowed or stopped. These measures show some of the process of care provided, if appropriate for most adults who have had a heart attack. The outpatient Heart Attack or Chest Pain measures apply to patients transferred to an acute care facility for a higher level of care.

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Outpatients with chest pain or possible heart attack who got aspirin within 24 hours of arrival
January 2010 through December 2010

Blood clots can cause heart attacks. For many patients having a heart attack, taking aspirin soon after symptoms of a heart attack begin may help break up a clot and make the heart attack less severe. If patients have not taken aspirin themselves before going to the hospital, they should get aspirin when they arrive. Standards for care say patients should get aspirin within 24 hours of arrival at the hospital. This measure tells what percent of patients got aspirin within this time period. This chart shows the percentage of outpatients with chest pain or possible heart attack who got aspirin within 24 hours of arrival. Higher numbers are better.