Table 2.

Criteria for the development and evaluation of the European Society of Cardiology quality indicators for cardiovascular disease

Domain	Criteria
Importance	QI reflects a clinical area that is of high importance (e.g. common, major cause for morbidity, mortality, and/or health-related quality of life impairment).
	QI relates to an area where there are disparities or suboptimal care.
	QI implementation will result in an improvement in patient outcomes.
	QI may address appropriateness of medical interventions.
Evidence base	QI is based on an acceptable evidence consistent with contemporary knowledge.
	QI aligns with the respective ESC Clinical Practice Guideline recommendations.
Specification	QI has clearly defined patient group to whom the measurement applies (denominator), including explicit exclusions.
	QI has clearly defined accomplishment criteria (numerator).
Validity	QI is able to correctly assess what it is intended to, adequately distinguishes between good and poor quality of care, and compliance with the indicator would confer health benefits.
Reliability	QI is reproducible even when data are extracted by different people, and estimates of performance on the basis of available data are likely to be reliable and unbiased.
Feasibility	QI may be identified and implemented with reasonable cost and effort
	Data needed for the assessment are (or should be) readily available and easily extracted within an acceptable time frame.
Interpretability	QI is interpretable by healthcare providers, so that practitioners can understand the results of the assessment and take actions accordingly.
Actionability	QI is influential to the current practice where a large proportion of the determinants of adherence to the QI is under the control of healthcare providers.
	This influence of QIs on behaviour will likely improve care delivery.
	QI is unlikely to cause negative unintended consequences.

ESC, European Society of Cardiology; QI, quality indicator.