Quality Improvement for Institutions
www.cvquality.acc.org

Cardiovascular Quality and Research News

ACC CV Quality SmartBrief

The ACC CV Quality SmartBrief eNewsletter is a free, twice-weekly briefing for health care stakeholders interested in quality care. Learn more about the ACC CV Quality SmartBrief and subscribe.

  • Designing a successful performance improvement initiative

    Tying measurable goals to patient outcomes, engaging front-line staff and standardizing best practices can improve staff and health system performance, says Dr. Augusto Sepulveda, the new chief medical officer at Baylor St. Luke's Medical Center. "You need to have a group of subject-matter experts that come together in multidisciplinary huddles [and] teams for specific performance improvement efforts, such as discharge planning teams," Sepulveda said. HealthLeaders Media (4/13) Learn More

  • Global, national campaigns highlight infection prevention

    World Health Day and National Public Health Week, both of which took place this month, are reminders that infection prevention is a team effort. Infection preventionists, environmental services professionals and sterile processing technicians form "the backbone of safe, resilient, and high-reliability health systems," says perioperative consultant Vangie Dennis. Infection Control Today (4/7) Learn More

  • Ciprofloxacin prophylaxis lowers BSIs but raises resistance

    Ciprofloxacin prophylaxis for allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant recipients is linked to fewer bloodstream infections, particularly those caused by gram-negative bacteria, but also with higher antimicrobial resistance and greater overall antibiotic use, according to a study in the International Journal of Infectious Diseases. The study found no significant difference in in-hospital mortality or ICU admissions between patients who received ciprofloxacin and those who did not. Medscape (4/6) Learn More

  • Oral challenge may help ID patients allergic to penicillin

    A study published in Clinical Infectious Diseases supports the use of direct oral challenges to identify hospital patients who are allergic to penicillin. Around 95% of low-risk patients labeled as allergic were delabeled after a direct oral challenge, and researchers say the approach could improve antibiotic stewardship. A digital audit and feedback strategy was effective in implementing the use of direct oral challenges, according to a paper in the same journal. Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (4/6) Learn More

  • Hospital M&A jumps, driven by strategic opportunities

    Hospital mergers and acquisitions have surged in the first quarter of this year, with 22 deals announced, the most in a first quarter since 2020, according to Kaufman Hall. This comes after a slow 2025, which saw only 46 deals. The resurgence is driven by hospitals seeking strategic opportunities amid financial challenges, including potential Medicaid cuts. Notable deals include the merger of Sutter Health and Allina Health to create a 39-hospital system. Chief Healthcare Executive (4/10) Learn More

  • Hypertension management advances at UC medical centers

    The University of California's six health centers have implemented the UC Way Hypertension Medication Algorithm, which has significantly improved blood pressure control among 90,000 patients, according to a study led by UC San Francisco and published in BMJ Open Quality. The program increased control rates from 68.5% to nearly 74%, preventing numerous strokes, heart attacks and deaths. This standardized protocol, integrated into electronic health records, emphasizes medication affordability and reducing treatment variation.  Healthcare Innovation (4/9) Learn More

  • CMS approves chronic care model participants

    CMS has given provisional approval to more than 150 companies and organizations to take part in the ACCESS model, an experimental Medicare program aimed at expanding access to technology-supported chronic care. Participants, including mental health app providers and wearable device makers, will receive set rates for treating conditions such as diabetes, high cholesterol, hypertension and depression, with payments tied to health outcomes. STAT (4/13) Learn More

Temp Styles

American College of Cardiology: 2400 N St. NW, Washington DC 20006