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Feb. 2017 Volume 17.02 �heartbeat

SURVEY - CELEBRATE 25 YEARSOF HEARTBASE IN DC

CRS: STSTHORACIC TIP

QUESTION: Thoracotomy + Lobectomy performed in aTrauma (MVA) case. Should these cases be captured indatabase even if some required fields not documented?(examples: Zubrod Score, PFTs, smoking history).ANSWER: Yes, include in database as procedure will becounted in procedure volume section but case will not beanalyzed. If toxicology screen does not document nicotinethen code smoking ‘unknown.’ Post-op events must becaptured.

CRS: NCDR.17TAKEAWAYS

On March 29, our partners at Cardiac Registry Support willgive an hour-long presentation focusing on the informationthey obtained in the sessions at NCDR.17. This will be agreat crash course for those who were unable to attend, ora refresh for those who did. Click here to join this class.

Heartbase opened its doors in 1992. As we reflect on our 25years, we feel incredibly fortunate to have been given theopportunity to work with so many wonderful people. Fromour DOS-based system to the most innovative, tablet-enabled web-based forms, heartbase has truly come a longway, and we have all of you to thank.

In this spirit, we want to see as many of you as possible whilewe’re in Washington DC for the NCDR.17 conference, sowe will be hosting a cocktail reception. If you are attending,please take a moment to fill out this survey so we can identifythe best possible date for such an event. Thank you, andwe’ll see you in Washington!

The 2017 NCDR AnnualConference (NCDR.17)is just around the corner(March 13-15), andheartbase will be there to attend the general sessions andworkshops and keep abreast of all of the registry changesand advances in data analytics.

Also attending the Washington DC event is an impressiveline-up of nationally renowned speakers, including RobertCaliff, MD, MACC, the former commissioner of the FDA;Ben Harder, Chief Health Analyst for US News & WorldReport; and William H. Maisel, MD, MPH, deputy directorfor science at the FDA’s Center for Devices andRadiological Health.

KNOWLEDGEBASE TRAININGThe hb Knowledgebase is the new online learning re-source heartbase has created for our clients. Accessedthrough our website, the Knowledgebase allows users toaccess reference documents, view the upcoming calen-dar, and register directly for training classes hosted byheartbase staff and our partners.

Beginning Monday, Januray 9th, and continuing throughFebruary, heartbase Sales Associate Alex Potanos will behosting a series of 30 minute introductory classes for thehb Knowledgebase, covering basic features of the Knowl-edgebase, including the registration and login process.Click here to sign-up for class on Thursday, February 2ndat 10:30am CST.Click here to sign-up for class on Tuesday, February 14that 2pm CST.

PREPARING FOR NCDR.17

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Feb. 2017 Volume 17.02 �heartbeat

The first person to respond with the answercorrectly wins a $25 Amazon Gift Card!Email answers to: mlizer@heartbase.net

Anyone who has won a prize fromheartbase in the last 12 months does notqualify to win the same prize a second time.However continue to send in your answersto qualify for the year-end prize!

● STS Adult Cardiac: TrainingManual v2.81 - Updated Jan.2017

● STS General Thoracic: TrainingManual v2.3 - Updated Jan. 2017

● STS Congenital: Training Manualv3.3 - Updated Jan. 2017

NCDRUpdates

PVI - #24543 (Related to submitting BASEfile & receiving green or yellow status priorto submitting Follow Up file)

ICD Q3 Deadline Change: The Call forData Schedule has been updated to reflectthe new 2016 Q3 Data SubmissionDeadline of February 28. 2017. Q2 datacan also be resubmitted for inclusion in thefirst outcome report.

PVI Registry Outcome Reports: All PVIOutcome Reports have been re-publishedand posted from Q4 2014 through Q22016 to reflect corrections to Metrics2,5,26,27,59 and 60. In addition, therolling four quarters of data on thedashboard has been re-aggregated toinclude to the corrections. Click here toview the corrections.

JANUARY ANSWER

FEBRUARY PUZZLE

Mortality Status Thresholds forComposite Quality Ratings: In orderto assure the highest level of accuracywhen reporting operative mortality inthe STS National Database datathresholds are being implemented todetermine eligibility for a compositescore (star rating): For all casesperformed on or after January 1,2017, the operative mortality fieldsmust have a 98% completeness rate.

On Nov. 2nd, 2016 the Chicago Cubswon the World Series! After the game,a photographer wanted to take apicture of the 9 Cubs starters. Howmany different arrangements can be

made tothe order inwhich theplayers aresituated int h epicture?

ANSWER: 362,880

WINNER: Kristin Maier, AdvocateLutheran Hospital

What’s the hidden phrase or title?

2017 STS ADULT CARDIAC UPDATESAlthough we are still waiting patiently waitingfor the Society of Thoracic Surgeons toprovide us with a list of specifications for thenew version of the Adult Cardiac Registry,the Annals of Thoracic Surgery has releaseda comprehensive, qualitative assessment ofthe AC database.

According to the report:

“This is the second in a series of annualreports that summarizes current aggregatenational outcomes in cardiac surgery andreviews database-related activities in theareas of quality measurement andperformance improvement during the pastyear.”

Click here to read the entire report.

Relative distribution of seven majorcardiac operations by procedure type:calendar year 2015. (AVR = aorticvalve replacement; CABG = coronaryartery bypass grafting; MV = mitralvalve; MVR = mitral valve replacement.)

STS TrainingManual Updates

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Feb. 2017 Volume 17.02 �heartbeat

The instructor will introduce the robustreport engine, hbQ, and show how to runand retrieve vital registry reports. Arepresentative selection of additionalreports will be explored.

hb Reporting Menu: The user will begiven a tour of the main reports menuwhere all heartbase standard reports areaccessible. The instructor will demonstratethe ease of entering parameters for runningthese reports.

hb Query Tool - Creating, Saving, andRe-running Saved Queries: The user willbe shown how to save time by setting upspecific queries to utilize prior to eachsubmission for data clean up, analysis ofmonthly meeting data, quarterly CVcommittee use, etc.

PreHarvest/Audit Tools: These auditingtools identify missing fields by case or byrecord type for a given time period. Thesetools can be utilized at any time leadingup to data submission.

Creating a Harvest File for Submission:The user will be shown the functionality ofcreating a harvest file for a given registry,locating the file for submission, and basicuploading procedures.

Basic DQR Review - (Data QualityReport): The instructor will review theregistry specific patient and/oroperation IDs used to link data reported inthe DQR to heartbase. A basic review ofnavigating the DQR to determine areas offocus for a successful submission will alsobe covered.

MARCH 2017 NEW USER TRAINING CLASSESContact Carmen Ernst- cernst@heartbase.net to RegisterTo help satisfy the heartbase contractual requirement that new users must receive training, heartbase continues scheduling generalversions of the Training Sessions which have been provided for many successful new users. For budgeting and scheduling purposes,here are the dates for the upcoming March sessions. For your convenience, these dates will also be in the newsletter calendar.These general training presentations will be conducted via WebEx from 1-3pm CST. Each session is $250 per attendee, but eachheartbase subscriber is allotted one complimentary seat at each training session each month.

Using a single service line case as anexample, the process of data entry andnavigation from admission to DC will bereviewed. Also included will be anintroduction of:Event Search - review registry caseswithin a given timeframe and the "dataview" navigation function.

Data Integration/Interoperability - where"like" data elements exist across registries,data is shared across registry modules.Following the ACC Interoperabilityrequirements between various NCDRregistries, heartbase "integration"significantly eliminates redundant dataentry.

Single Case Audit - One of several qualitycheck tools available, the Single CaseAudit searches for missing data when dataentry has been completed for a given case.

Technology updates have moved, and are no longer accessiblewithout logging into the NCDR. Once logged in, select “registry”and simply navigate to "Resources" at the left navigation bar,then "Technology Downloads". The following have recently beenupdated:

● CathPCI: Device Lists - 1/5/2017● AFib Ablation Devices - 1/25● ICD Devices - 1/25

Registry site managers should have received email notificationfrom the NCDR regarding the latest updates. If you are notreceiving these update notices from the NCDR, please log on tothe NCDR website and check your Individual Profile Preferences.

Users with heartbase Autobackup can schedule for the lists to beinstalled as part of the nightly maintenance/backup process.Otherwise, these files MUST be loaded into heartbase throughAdmin mode.

hb : PCI Analysis,February 27 (1-2pmCST)

TECHNOLOGY DOWNLOADS FEBRUARY SPECIAL SESSIONThis session will be led by aheartbase registry specialistCarmen Ernst, who willreview the PCI Analysisreport and the sampling ofaccompanying output filesfrom heartbase. Carmen willalso discuss and strategizeways to utilize theinformation both prior to andafter data submission.

For questions or to registerfor this session, pleaseclick follow this link.

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Feb. 2017 Volume 17.02 �heartbeat

industry news and notesMiscellaneous News

IMPACTS OF ACA

FEBRUARY: AMERICAN HEART MONTH“Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States.Every year, 1 in 4 deaths are caused by heart disease.

The good news? Heart disease can often be prevented when people make healthychoices and manage their health conditions. Communities, health professionals, andfamilies can work together to create opportunities for people to make healthier choices.

Make a difference in your community: Spread the word about strategies for preventingheart disease and encourage people to live heart healthy lives.”

- Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion

To read more about how to raise awareness of the dangers of heart disease, clickhere.

“Study Questions: Isthe Affordable CareAct (ACA) MedicaidExpansion associated

with increased census-adjusted heart transplant

listing rates for racial/ethnicminorities?

This is an important paper becauseit demonstrates the beneficial impactof ACA Medicaid Expansion on hearttransplant listings in African-American patients.” - Study byBreathett K, Allen LA, Helmkamp L,et al. Read more here: JACC HeartFailure

CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE DATA“Parents of children with congenitalheart disease would like to see public

reporting of survival statistics, surgeon-specific experience and complication rates,according to a recent survey.

The preferences were consistent across differences in education level, annualhousehold income and race/ethnicity.

Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania and the Children’s Hospital ofPhiladelphia and three patient advocacy groups developed the 43-question survey.”

- by Tim Casey, Cardiovascular Business

To read the full story, click here.

FIRST IMPLANT OF TRANSCATHETERTRICUSPID VALVED STENT

“The procedure was done in November 2016 ina 64-year-old woman with a long history ofsevere tricuspid regurgitation (TR 4+), whichinvariably leads to lethal right heart failure.Following stent implantation (see Figure below),the new tricuspid valve demonstrated excellentvalve performance, indicating significantreduction of the patient’s severe valveregurgitation. The patient was stable and faringwell 30 days after the procedure.”

Click here to read the rest of the story.

GO RED FORWOMEN

February 3 is National Wear Red Day.Visit www.goredforwomen.org to read

the inspiring stories of real women whohave suffered and survived after beingdiagnosed with heart disease. heartdisease and are working passionately toraise awareness of the issues of womenand heart disease.

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Upcoming Important Date in March:March 1 - AFib Ablation Deadline

March 6 - STS Adult Cardiac Continuous Harvest Opens

March 13-15 - NCDR.17 Washington DC:

February 2017

S M T W T F S

1

CMS Q3 Deadline

2

CathPCI New UserCall

hb KnowledgebaseTraining - 10:30amCST - Register

3 4

5 6

hb Training: Data Entry& Navigation - 1-3pmCST- Register

7 8 9

• ACTION RSM

• hb Training:Audit/Harvest - 1-3pmCST - Register

10 11

12 13

PVI RSM

14

Happy Valentine’s Day

�hb KnowledgebaseTraining - 2pm CST -Register

15 16

• CathPCI RSM

• hb Training:Reporting - 1-3pm CST- Register

17 18

19 20

President’s Day -

heartbase OfficesCLOSED

21

ICD RSM

22 23

AFib Ablation RSM/New User Call

24

STS Adult CardiacLockdown

25

26 27

• hb Special Session:PCI Analysis - Register

• STS Congenital/General ThoracicSpring Harvest begins

28

ICD Q3 Deadline