Expect to see seven more quality outcome measures for cardiology procedures go public in the near future, says the American College of Cardiology (ACC).
 
Detailed in a HealthLeaders Media article, the commitment for public release follows ACC’s recent inclusion of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) readmissions rates on Hospital Compare, Medicare’s website for public inspection of hospital quality. Records used in the PCI registry database were for procedures performed between Jan. 1, 2010, and Nov. 30, 2011.
 
More than 300 hospitals participating in the ACC's National Cardiovascular Data Registry (NCDR) CathPCI Registry elected to voluntarily report their measure results on the public website. Quality measure findings from ACC registries are usually shared only with other registry participants and researchers.
 
The voluntary public reporting initiative was launched in early 2013 after ACC, CMS and Yale New Haven Health Services Corporation − Center for Outcomes Research collaborated to develop the PCI readmission measure, obtain National Quality Forum endorsement and determine a path forward for voluntary public reporting, according to an ACC press release.
 
For information on ACC registries for the Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS), turn to Cardiology Coder’s Pink Sheet.