• National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA). HEDIS® 2009: Healthcare Effectiveness Data & Information Set. Vol. 2, Technical Specifications. Washington (DC): National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA); 2008 Jul. various p.

Does not apply to this measure

This measure is used to assess the percentage of adult members 18 years of age and older during the measurement year who were hospitalized and discharged alive from July 1 of the year prior to the measurement year to June 30 of the measurement year with a diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and who received persistent beta-blocker treatment for six months after discharge.

Over eight million American adults have a history of myocardial infarctions, or heart attacks. Almost one million new and recurrent heart attacks occur in the United States annually, resulting in 450,000 deaths. Half of those deaths occur within one hour of the onset of symptoms. To reduce death during acute and long-term management of a heart attack, the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology strongly recommend treatment using beta-blockers.

Last year, National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) retired the "Beta-Blocker Treatment After a Heart Attack Treatment" measure as a result of the dramatic rise in treatment rates for commercial plans – more than 35 percentage points since 1996. The change in measure is proof that sustained attention and effective initiatives can save lives and improve quality of life.

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI); beta-blockers

Members age 18 years and older as of December 31 of the measurement year who were discharged alive from an acute inpatient setting with an acute myocardial infarction (AMI) between July 1 of the year prior to the measurement year through June 30 of the measurement year (see the "Description of Case Finding" and the "Denominator Inclusions/Exclusions" fields in the Complete Summary)

A 180-day course of treatment with beta-blockers

Identify all members in the denominator population whose dispensed days supply is greater than or equal to 135 days in the 180 days following discharge. Persistence of treatment for this measure is defined as at least 75 percent of the days supply filled.

Refer to the original measure documentation for additional details.

Administrative data

Persistence of beta-blocker treatment after a heart attack (PBH).

National Committee for Quality Assurance

Unspecified

National Committee for Quality Assurance's (NCQA's) Measurement Advisory Panels (MAPs) are composed of clinical and research experts with an understanding of quality performance measurement in the particular clinical content areas.

In order to fulfill National Committee for Quality Assurance's (NCQA's) mission and vision of improving health care quality through measurement, transparency and accountability, all participants in NCQA's expert panels are required to disclose potential conflicts of interest prior to their participation. The goal of this Conflict Policy is to ensure that decisions which impact development of NCQA's products and services are made as objectively as possible, without improper bias or influence.

National Quality Forum

Ambulatory Care Quality Alliance

Measure was not adapted from another source.

2004 Jan

2008 Jul

Please note: This measure has been updated. The National Quality Measures Clearinghouse is working to update this summary.

• National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA). HEDIS® 2009: Healthcare Effectiveness Data & Information Set. Vol. 2, Technical Specifications. Washington (DC): National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA); 2008 Jul. various p.

This NQMC summary was completed by ECRI on June 16, 2006. The information was not verified by the measure developer. This NQMC summary was updated by ECRI Institute on February 19, 2008. The information was verified by the measure developer on April 24, 2008. This NQMC summary was updated again by ECRI Institute on March 10, 2009. The information was verified by the measure developer on May 29, 2009.