Timely and Effective Care

This measure shows how well we are providing recommended care known to prevent or treat blood clots and how often blood clots occur that could have been prevented.

An acute myocardial infarction (AMI)—or heart attack—happens when one of the heart’s arteries becomes blocked and the supply of blood and oxygen to part of the heart muscle is slowed or stopped. When the heart muscle doesn’t get the oxygen and nutrients it needs, the affected heart tissue may die. These measures show some of the recommended treatments provided, if appropriate, for most adults who have had a heart attack.

A stroke, sometimes called a “brain attack,” occurs when blood flow to the brain is interrupted. When a stroke occurs, brain cells in the immediate area begin to die because they stop getting the oxygen and nutrients they need to function. Getting the right care at the right time can help reduce the risk of complications and another stroke. These measures show some of the standards of stroke care that hospitals should follow for adults who have had a stroke.

By providing care that follows best practices to pregnant women, hospitals and doctors can improve chances for a safe delivery and healthy baby. This measure shows the percent of mothers whose deliveries were scheduled too early (1-2 weeks early), when a scheduled delivery was not medically necessary.

Hospitals and healthcare providers play a crucial role in promoting, providing and educating patients about preventive services and screenings to maintain the health of their communities. Many diseases are preventable through immunizations, screenings, treatment and lifestyle changes. The information below shows how well hospitals provided preventive services.

Timely and effective care in hospital emergency departments is essential for good patient outcomes. Delays before getting care in the emergency department can reduce the quality of care, and increase risks and discomfort for patients with serious illnesses or injuries. Waiting times at different hospitals can vary widely, depending on the number of patients seen, staffing levels, efficiency, admitting procedures or the availability of inpatient beds. The information below shows how quickly we treat patients who come to the department of emergency medicine.