title: Feasibility of Assessing 2 Cardiac Rehabilitation Quality Indicators.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The Canadian Cardiovascular Society initiated a pan-Canadian process for development of quality indicators (QIs) for cardiac rehabilitation (CR). Before implementation, the QIs underwent pilot testing to ensure they were acceptable and feasible for field implementation. The objectives of this test were to assess (1) the technical feasibility of measuring the QIs; (2) the workload required to measure the QIs; and (3) acceptability of measuring the QIs and issues with their implementation.
  
  
  METHODS
  The 2 indicators chosen for field testing were QI-1 (% of eligible inpatients referred) and 2b (median wait time from CR referral receipt to enrollment). The approach consisted of 3 steps: (1) data extraction to test technical feasibility; (2) completing a workload diary; and (3) providing input through a semistructured interview regarding acceptability and implementation issues. Three academic CR sites were selected to undertake the field test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  QI-1 ranged from 51.0% to 68.4%, and QI-2b was reported as 27 days (median) by one site, and 22 days (mean) by another. It was not considered feasible for CR programs to assess all potentially CR-eligible inpatients for CR referral exclusions. Compilation required 4.2 hours for QI-1 and 1.8 hours for QI-2b. QI assessment was acceptable to the programs, but changes in practice would be needed at each site to implement the QIs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CR programs may require enhancement of information-tracking processes to enable QI measurement. It was recommended that the QIs be implemented, but should undergo minor revisions to enhance feasibility.
authors.affiliation: York University (Dr Grace), Toronto, Ontario, Canada; University Health Network (Dr Grace, Mr Tan, and Dr Oh), Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Total Cardiology (Dr Aggarwal), Calgary, Alberta, Canada, St Joseph's Health Care London (Ms Unsworth and Dr Suskin), London, Ontario, Canada; and Western University (Dr Suskin), London, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Sherry L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Grace
authors.forename: Yongyao
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Oh
authors.forename: Sandeep
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Aggarwal
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Unsworth
authors.forename: Neville
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Suskin
mesh_terms: D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D000072038:Cardiac Rehabilitation / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D004608:Eligibility Determination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006801:Humans; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D019984:Quality Indicators, Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D061665:Time-to-Treatment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014850:Waiting Lists