FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
OTTAWA, October 31, 2017 – A new report released by the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI), in collaboration with the Canadian Cardiovascular Society (CCS), will provide doctors and health decision makers with critical, pan-Canadian data on cardiac patient outcomes that could help improve the quality of in-hospital care.
The release of the 2017 Cardiac Care Quality Indicators Report signals the first time that information on patient outcomes (i.e. mortality and readmission rates) related to selected cardiac interventions are reported publicly at the national, provincial and cardiac care centre levels. It also represents the first time that cardiac care outcomes have been reported by CIHI for the province of Quebec, at any level.
By examining the quality of cardiac care on a pan-Canadian scale through a suite of CCS-identified indicators, centres can evaluate how their patient outcomes fare compared to those of their peers across the country, and systematically improve the delivery of care within their own hospitals or clinics.
“We hope and expect that the release of this data will lead to a national conversation between healthcare professionals, hospitals, provincial cardiac agencies and government bodies – all of whom have an interest in improving the quality of care provided to Canadian patients,” said Dr. Catherine Kells, CCS President.
Since 2016, CCS has been working extensively with CIHI to ensure that the data being reported is of relevance to the Canadian cardiac care community.
“The release of this report represents a major milestone towards significant cardiovascular care quality improvement in this country,” said Dr. Kells.
“By providing the cardiovascular community with data and tools required to practice more evidence-based care, we can help improve the lives and livelihoods of the thousands of Canadians affected by heart disease.”
The CCS continues to work closely with CIHI as a part of its larger Quality Project; a physician-led initiative working to transform Canada’s health system through ongoing measurement and reporting on the quality of cardiovascular care.
For more information:
MJ Deschamps
Coordinator, Health Policy & Advocacy
Canadian Cardiovascular Society
Deschamps@ccs.ca
613-569-3407 x 417
www.ccs.ca
About the Canadian Cardiovascular Society
The Canadian Cardiovascular Society is a non-profit organization that represents more than 2,200 cardiovascular clinicians and scientists across Canada. Established in 1947, the Canadian Cardiovascular Society works to promote cardiovascular health and care excellence through knowledge translation, professional development and health policy.
Facts about heart disease in Canada
- Each year, 33,600 Canadians die as a result of heart disease. It is a leading cause of death in Canada, along with cancer.
- Twenty percent of Canadians aged 65+ live with heart disease. Nine in 10 Canadians aged 20+ have at least one risk factor for heart disease.
- The economic burden of heart disease is estimated at $20.9 billion, and is expected to reach $28.3 billion by 2020.
- Premature death due to heart disease contributes $9.3 billion in lost productivity every year.
- Heart disease disproportionately affects Canada’s Indigenous and rural populations.