The impact of achieving perfect care in acute coronary syndrome: The role of computer assisted decision support

Background Attainment of every performance measure or perfect care (PC) is used as a tool for measuring hospital quality of care. We sought to describe the effect of achieving PC on subsequent outcomes in patients admitted with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and to determine whether computerized physician order entry enabled with decision support (CPOE-DS) would enhance the likelihood of achieving PC and improvements in clinical outcomes. Methods Clinical inpatient data, performance measures and subsequent mortality was collected in 1,321 consecutive ACS patients admitted between January 1, 2009, to October 15, 2011, using either a standardized order set that followed consensus guidelines or orders generated via CPOE-DS. Results CPOE-DS generated orders were utilized in 642 (49%) patients while the remaining 679 (51%) of patients were admitted using standardized order sets. At baseline, CPOE-DS patients were younger (−3%, P = .006), had lower resting heart rates (−3%, P = .012), higher TIMI risk scores (+19%, P P = .014), and more likely to have ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (17% vs 10%; P = .001) than patients admitted with standard orders. Patients admitted using CPOE-DS were 5.7 times more likely to achieve PC than those who were admitted with standard orders ( P P P P = .046). Conclusions Achievement of PC is a valid measure of quality of care in the hospitalized ACS patient and is associated with improved survival. CPOE-DS is feasible in the care process for ACS and can increase attainment of PC.