CCS Quality Assurance & Standards 2

Question 1

Which ACC/AHA performance measure tracks the percentage of AMI patients discharged on a beta-blocker?

Accepted Answer

AMI-5

Answer

AMI-5 is the ACC/AHA performance measure for beta-blocker therapy prescribed at discharge following acute myocardial infarction.

Question 2

In a cardiac catheterization laboratory quality program, 'door-to-balloon time' is a process measure primarily targeting which patient population?

Accepted Answer

STEMI patients undergoing primary PCI

Answer

Door-to-balloon time specifically measures the interval from ED arrival to coronary artery reperfusion in STEMI patients undergoing primary PCI, with a benchmark of ≤90 minutes.

Question 3

A hospital's risk-adjusted mortality rate for CABG exceeds the expected rate by two standard deviations. What is the most appropriate immediate quality improvement action?

Accepted Answer

Conduct a structured case-by-case mortality review using a standardized tool

Answer

Structured case-by-case mortality review using a validated tool (e.g., STS M&M review) is the first step to identify modifiable factors before escalating to suspension or external reporting.

Question 4

Which statistical tool is BEST suited for monitoring whether a process (e.g., door-to-balloon time) remains within acceptable control limits over time?

Accepted Answer

Statistical process control (SPC) chart

Answer

An SPC (or control) chart plots process data over time with upper and lower control limits, distinguishing common-cause variation from special-cause variation.

Question 5

Under the Joint Commission's ORYX initiative, cardiovascular programs must submit core measure data primarily to support which goal?

Accepted Answer

Accreditation decision-making based on outcomes performance

Answer

The ORYX initiative requires hospitals to submit standardized performance measure data to the Joint Commission as part of the accreditation process.

(CCS) Certified Cardiovascular Specialist Practice Test

(CCS) Certified Cardiovascular Specialist Practice Test

CCS Quality Assurance & Standards 2