Establishing a NSW Cardiac Rehabilitation Minimum Dataset (CRMDS)

Abstract

Background: There is a paucity of data for cardiac rehabilitation (CR) services and its outcomes across Australia, and in particular NSW. Currently NSW CR services are required to provide monthly reports to the NSW Ministry of Health (MoH) but it provides very limited information. Both the NHF and Australian Cardiac Rehabilitation Association recently stated that all CR services must collect a minimum set of data and report on key performance indicators to promote continuous quality improvement of services and benchmarking. The aim of this paper is to ascertain current status of data collection and recommend quality indicators for monitoring CR services in NSW. Methods: The NHF conducted a survey in May 2014 which reviewed current CRMDS practices in NSW. Under the auspices of the NHF NSW, CRA NSW and ACI, a CRMDS Working Group was established to formulate a minimum dataset, and a supporting data dictionary, through a process of review, deliberation, and consensus. Results: The CRMDS working group recommended 11 quality indicators for NSW: 1. Principal Referral Diagnosis and Intervention/Complications 2. CR wait time 3. Assessment of adiposity 4. Assessment of medications 5. Assessment of exercise capacity 6. Assessment of depression 7. Referral of patients screening ≥ moderate depression 8. Smoking cessation and support 9. Symptom-Management Plan 10. CR program completion 11. Ongoing care. Conclusion: The NSW CRMDS is currently being trialled in metropolitan, rural and remote CR settings to ensure rigour. The data collected will help drive quality improvement and attainment of best practice in CR across NSW.