ACE, the Accreditation for Cardiovascular Excellence, has been cited multiple times for its contribution in navigating the AUC waters that can be so challenging to cath lab management.
According to an article in Cardiovascular Business* many physicians have expressed concern that AUC terminology fails to accommodate nuanced physician judgment. In an interview with Tony Farah, MD, Chief Medical Officer at West Penn Allegheny Health System in Pittsburgh, he encourages his cardiologists to view AUC amongst other acceptable decision-making options in treating a very diverse patient population. To combat the confusion, Dr. Farah refers to the Society of Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI) and the Accreditation for Cardiovascular Excellence (ACE) as primary resources. Of specific mention is the SCAI Quality Toolkit as a means to assist implementing AUC. ACE’s comprehensive consultation integrates the toolkit with a broader emphasis on standardizing care and improving documentation. By focusing on key quality indicators, ACE reduces complexities that often create confusion. West Penn Allegheny, which is a five-hospital system, is currently accredited by ACE at one of its two cath lab sites while pursuing accreditation for the second.
Another article from the Tribune-Review** discusses the value of ACE services in achieving transparency and credibility for the cardiovascular service line at Excela Health. By implementing AUC, “Excela‘s quality improvements have resulted in a national accreditation of our cardiac catheterization laboratory [through ACE],” said Excela CEO Robert Rogalski. “Our commitment to maintaining that quality is unwavering.” The ACE process engages physicians and assists facilities by improving the quality outcomes process. “ACE’s unique program of accreditation and third party validation has assisted numerable organizations to better understand AUC and apply these metrics for both the benefit of staff and patients,” states Bonnie H. Weiner, M.D., MSEC, MBA, FSCAI, FACC, ACE Board Chair and Chief Medical Officer.
About Accreditation for Cardiovascular Excellence:
ACE, an independent organization sponsored by the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI) and the American College of Cardiology Foundation (ACCF), offers independent evaluation and monitoring of facilities that provide cardiovascular care. By reviewing facility and operator performance and comparing clinical decision-making to nationally accepted best practices, ACE peer review and accreditation services plays a critical role in continuous quality improvement programs. Learn more at http://www.cvexcel.org.
References:
* Cadet, J. Cardiovascular Business Is it time to re-examine appropriate use terminology? December 11, 2012
** Gazarik, R. Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Excela paid back $2 million for stent surgeries. December 7, 2012