Quality Improvement Resources

• Meaningful Use and EHR Certification (IOM Report Workgroup, Cardiovascular Health Council)
  • Resource for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Programs (CDC, November 2010)


• NC Primary Stroke Center and Stroke Capable Hospital Definitions Clarification (July 27, 2010)
  • Letter from Nadine Pfeiffer, Assistant Chief-Health Systems, NC Office of Emergency Medical Services (NCOEMS) dated July 27, 2010.


• The Joint Commission Disease-Specific Care Update: Issue One 2010
  • All certified primary stroke centers are required to use the Specifications Manual for National Hospital Inpatient Quality Measures


• The Joint Commission Disease-Specific Care Update: Issue Two 2010
  • Top five Joint Commission requirements that were most frequently identified as “not compliant”


• The Joint Commission Disease-Specific Care Update: Issue Three 2009
  • New Disease-Specific Condition requirements


• The Joint Commission Disease-Specific Care Update: Issue Four 2009
  • New Stroke Awareness Campaign & first advanced certification in heart failure care awarded


• QI Tools: Dysphagia Screening (Regional Stroke Steering Committee of Southeast Ontario)
  • A 70-page report outlining dysphagia screening that meets Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario Best Practice Guidelines


• American College of Emergency Physicians Article on tPA Litigation
  • Emergency Physicians More Likely To Be Sued by Stroke Patients Who Do Not Receive tPA


• The Joint Commission 10 Harmonized Stroke Measures
  • Facilities that are Primary Stroke Center (PSC) Certified and/or those considering PSC Certification should strive for > 80% compliance with these 10.


• Recommendations for Comprehensive Stroke Centers
  • A Consensus Statement From the Brain Attack Coalition (Alberts MJ et. al, 2005)


• CDC Division of Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention
  • Data Products/Documents


• Quality Improvement Webinar-Oct, 2010 (National Stroke Association)



• In-Hospital Stroke Resource Center (National Stroke Association)



• Institute for Health Care Improvment (IHI)
  • A resource library for quality improvment efforts


• American Health Quality Association
  • General resources for quality improvement


• National Quality Forum
  • Collection of overarching quality improvement initiatives.