title: Pan-Canadian development of cardiac rehabilitation and secondary prevention quality indicators.
abstract: The Canadian Cardiovascular Society (CCS) is implementing the Canadian Heart Health Strategy and Action Plan recommendation to build knowledge infrastructure, through its Data Definitions and Quality Indicator (QI) project. The CCS selected cardiac rehabilitation (CR) and secondary prevention as a content area for QI development. In accordance with the CCS QI Best Practice Methodology, rapid reviews of the literature were conducted. A long list of 37 QIs, in the areas of structure, process, and outcome were developed. Through an online survey, 26 (42%) of all contacted external experts rated each QI on importance, scientific acceptability, and feasibility, using a 7-point scale. The overall mean rating was 5.4 ± 1.4. Through a consensus process, the working group excluded 8 QIs based on this feedback, and several others were revised. A 30-day Web consultation was then undertaken, to solicit input from the broader CCS and CR community. A "top 5" list of QIs was requested by the CCS, which were: (1) inpatients referred to CR; (2) wait times from referral to CR enrollment; (3) patient self-management education; (4) increase in exercise capacity; and (5) emergency response strategy. Knowledge translation activities are now under way to promote utilization of the QIs and ultimately improve CR care.
authors: School of Kinesiology and Health Science, Faculty of Health, Toronto Western Hospital, and GoodLife Fitness Cardiovascular Rehabilitation Unit, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Electronic address: sgrace@yorku.ca.
authors: Sherry L
authors: SL
authors: Grace
authors: Faculté de pharmacie, Université Laval, Institut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de Québec, Québec, Québec, Canada.
authors: Paul
authors: P
authors: Poirier
authors: Faculty of Nursing, University of Alberta, Edmonton Clinic Health Academy, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
authors: Colleen M
authors: CM
authors: Norris
authors: Data Governance and Reporting, Cardiac Care Network of Ontario, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors: Garth H
authors: GH
authors: Oakes
authors: School of Kinesiology and Health Science, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors: Deborah S
authors: DS
authors: Somanader
authors: Cardiac Rehabilitation and Secondary Prevention Program of St. Joseph's Health Care London, and Department of Medicine (Cardiology) and Program of Experimental Medicine, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.
authors: Neville
authors: N
authors: Suskin
mesh_terms: D002170:Canada; D000072038:Cardiac Rehabilitation; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004630:Emergencies; D017079:Exercise Tolerance; D006801:Humans; D007318:Inservice Training; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care / Q000592:standards*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D019984:Quality Indicators, Health Care / Q000592:standards*; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D012648:Self Care; D012955:Societies, Medical; D013997:Time Factors