title: [Standards and outcome measures in cardiovascular rehabilitation. Position paper GICR/IACPR].
abstract: Despite major improvements in diagnostics and interventional therapies, cardiovascular diseases remain a major health care and socio-economic problem in Italy. Costs and resources required are increasing in close correlation to both the improved quality of care and to the population ageing. There is an overwhelming evidence of the efficacy of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) in terms of reduction in morbidity and mortality after acute cardiac events. CR services are by definition multi-factorial and comprehensive. Furthermore, systematic analysis and monitoring of the process of delivery and outcomes is of paramount importance. The aim of this position paper promoted by the Italian Association for Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation (GICR-IACPR) is to provide specific recommendations to assist CR staff in the design, evaluation and development of their care delivery organization. The position paper should also assist health care providers, insurers, policy makers and consumers in the recognition of the quality of care requirements, standards and outcome measure, quality and performance indicators, and professional competence involved in such organization and programs. The position paper i) include comprehensive CR definition and indications, ii) describes priority criteria based on the clinical risk for admission to both inpatient or outpatient CR, and iii) defines components and technological, structural and organizing requirements for inpatient or outpatient CR services, with specific indicators and standards, performance measures and required professional skills. A specific chapter is dedicated to the requirements for highly specialized CR services for patients with more advanced cardiovascular diseases.
authors: Istituto Cardiovascolare Camogli, GE. r.griffo@libero.it
authors: Raffaele
authors: R
authors: Griffo
authors: Marco
authors: M
authors: Ambrosetti
authors: Giuseppe
authors: G
authors: Furgi
authors: Roberto
authors: R
authors: Carlon
authors: Carmine
authors: C
authors: Chieffo
authors: Giuseppe
authors: G
authors: Favretto
authors: Oreste
authors: O
authors: Febo
authors: Ugo
authors: U
authors: Corrà
authors: Francesco
authors: F
authors: Fattirolli
authors: Pantaleo
authors: P
authors: Giannuzzi
authors: Cesare
authors: C
authors: Greco
authors: Massimo F
authors: MF
authors: Piepoli
authors: Pier Luigi
authors: PL
authors: Temporelli
authors: Roberto
authors: R
authors: Tramarin
authors: Stefano
authors: S
authors: Urbinati
mesh_terms: D000072038:Cardiac Rehabilitation; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D019984:Quality Indicators, Health Care; D011787:Quality of Health Care