Hospitals in pursuit of excellence

Reducing the Number of Stents Used in Treating Coronary Artery Disease

This facility's coronary artery stents per admission rate was consistently higher than the national benchmark. Increased stent use can expose patients to greater risk and drives up costs, while not necessarily improving patient outcomes. Intensive, case-by-case review of outliers by Interventional peers in a Continuous Quality Improvement Committee, coupled with counseling when indicated, resulted in a rapid decrease both in cases that used many stents (76%) and the overall stent use (15.4%). Cost savings have been significant as well (15.3%).

This case study is part of the Illinois Hospital Association's annual quality awards. Each year, IHA recognizes and celebrates the achievements of Illinois hospitals in continually improving and transforming health care in the state. These hospitals are improving health by striving to achieve the Triple Aim--improving the patient experience of care (including quality and satisfaction); improving the health of populations; and reducing the per capita cost of health care.

Award recipients achieve measurable and meaningful progress in providing care that is:

• Safe
• Timely
• Effective
• Efficient
• Equitable
• Patient-centered

(The Institute of Medicine's six aims for improvement.)