Quality Improvement Projects

2018-2019 Projects

  • Enhancements to a post-MI early follow-up clinic
  • Improved Adherence to LifeVest usage
  • Reducing low-value echocardiograms through menu redesign
  • Improving efficiency of elective admission for rhythm drug loading

2017-2018 Projects

  • Reducing overuse of telemetry
  • Ordering Menu redesign to improve appropriateness of noninvasive cardiac tests
  • Reduced radiation exposure for operators with new catheterization laboratory equipment
  • Educating psychiatry trainees and faculty on assessment for QT prolongation
  • Cardiogenic Shock Team

2016-2017 Projects

  • Improved recording of complications from cardiac catheterization procedures
  • Implementation of a risk assessment tool for contrast induced nephropathy in the cath lab
  • Reducing overuse of telemetry
  • Reducing overuse of unnecessary echocardiography (manuscript under review)
  • Standardizing IABP removal in the CCU
  • Improve patient awareness of periprocedural anticoagulation management for cardiac device implantation
  • Increasing statin use among patients with elevated calcium scores
  • Reduced NPO times prior to cardiac catheterization
  • Standardization of CT and Nuclear reporting
  • Stress first MPI protocol to reduce time and radiation (manuscript under review)

2015-2016 Projects

  • Same-Day Discharge after Elective Percutaneous Coronary Intervention
  • Improved recording of complications from cardiac catheterization procedures
  • Reduced preoperative cardiac consultations (manuscript under review)
  • Reducing unnecessarily repeated limited echo on Inpatients
  • Implementation of a risk assessment tool for contrast induced nephropathy in the cath lab
  • Assessment of Interpretation of Common Electrocardiograms Among Physicians
  • Confidence of Medical Trainees in Interpreting Electrocardiograms
  • A pharmacist-assisted protocol for management of anti-arrhythmic drugs (Ann Pharmacother 2017;51:39-43.)

2014-2015 Projects

  • Reducing erroneous findings of anterior wall infarction represented by poor R wave progression on ECG due to lead malpositioning
  • Using online educational videos to improve patient’s education regarding heart failure treatment and management
  • Same-Day Discharge after Elective Percutaneous Coronary Intervention
  • Reducing unnecessary myocardial perfusion scan ordering through provider education (Open Heart 2017;4:e000589.)
  • Improvements to track of potential complications from amiodarone therapy
  • Improved recording of complications from cardiac catheterization procedures

2013-2014 Projects

  • Improving communication between the cardiology consult service and housestaff teams at the Malcom Randall VA Medical Center
  • Deciphering the Bundle: A Protocol to Reduce Cancelled Alerts for ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction in Patients with Left Bundle Branch Block
  • Improving Patient Notification to Prevent Cancellation of Myocardial Perfusion Studies
  • Video demonstration of pre-cath instructions to improve patient satisfaction
  • Tutorial for proper pre-cath assessment
  • Improving Appropriateness of STEMI Alert Activations
  • Improving inpatient STEMI protocol
  • Improving PA catheter management