Table 1.
The indicator set.
| Indicator (measure) | Typology | Criterion met/expected change | Measure |
| In hospital mortality | Outcome | Differences in rates | % |
| Length of hospital stay | Outcome | Differences in mean values | days |
| Appropriateness of the stay (with Appropriateness Evaluation Protocol – AEP) | Outcome | Differences in rates | % |
| Costs of the stay (with Activity Based Costing – ABC) | Outcome | Differences in mean values | € (euro) |
| Rate of unscheduled readmissions (within 31 days) | Outcome | Differences in rates | % |
| Patients' satisfaction (survey with 16 items questionnaire) | Outcome | Differences in mean values | score (1–10) |
| Diagnostic procedures during hospital stay | Process | Differences in rates | % |
| Echocardiography | |||
| Trans-oesophageal echocardiography | |||
| Electrocardiography | |||
| Chest x-rays | |||
| Oximetry | |||
| Weight monitoring | |||
| Diuresis monitoring | |||
| Medical treatment during hospital stay | Process | Differences in rates | % |
| Inotropes | |||
| ACE-inhibitors | |||
| Beta-blockers | |||
| Diuretics | |||
| Nitrates | |||
| Other vasodilators | |||
| Heparin | |||
| Oral anticoagulants | |||
| Anti-platelets agents | |||
| Left ventricular function (LVF) assessment rate at discharge (or planned for after discharge) | Process | Given to all patients | % |
| Rehabilitation rate at discharge (or planned for after discharge) | Process | Given to all patients | % |
| Advice/counseling rate for smoking cessation at discharge | Process | Given to all patients (current smokers) | % |
| Written instructions rate at discharge (activity level, diet, discharge medications, follow up, weight monitoring and what to do if symptoms worsen) | Process | Given to all patients | % |
| ACE-inhibitor rate at discharge (without contraindications, with LVF < 40%) | Process | Given to all patients | % |