Canadian Cardiovascular Society

CCS Data Definitions & Quality Indicators

The CCS Quality Project calculates and reports on quality of care nationally through clinician-identified quality indicators. Quality indicators (QIs) are increasingly being used in many health systems in Canada and internationally, to improve accountability and to provide quantitative measures of value.

Identifying optimal cardiovascular care practices and quantifying the quality of care through adherence to certain recognized benchmarks can serve to drive significant improvements in terms of quality of care, and ensure a sustainable health system.

Through funding from the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) (2010-2016), the CCS completed and published six sets of pan-Canadian cardiovascular care quality indicators. Notably, some provinces have voluntarily adopted these indicators, with select indicators also now supported at a national level through the Canadian Institute for Health Information.

As of 2017, some CCS Expert Working Groups have been working to update and refine indicators to strengthen their clinical relevance.


Data Definition Development

The CCS data definitions reflect national input and consensus on definitions within several spheres of cardiovascular disease, treatment and subspecialty expertise. Each chapter should be considered as supplement to the Core Elements and Demographics data definitions. Data definitions include history and risk factors, co-morbidities, admission information, in-hospital clinical events, medications, laboratory results and discharge information.


Quality Indicator Development

In developing its cardiovascular QIs, the CCS followed a rigorous, best practice methodology that measures overall quality based on indicators related to optimal structure, process and outcomes, such as:

  • Type and quality of resources used for programs and services (e.g. procedural wait times);
  • Activities undertaken in patient care (i.e. evidence-based treatment); and
  • Effects of care on patient outcomes (i.e. mortality rate and quality of life)

For more information about the CCS’ standardized QI development methodology, download CCS Best Practices for Developing Cardiovascular Quality Indicators.


Data Definitions and Quality Indicators (by topic area)

Atrial Fibrillation

Data Elements and Definitions (Atrial Fibrillation/Flutter)
Quality Indicators (Atrial Fibrillation/Flutter)

CAD/ACS

Data Elements and Definitions (Acute Coronary Syndrome)
Data Elements and Definitions (Coronary Angiography/Revascularization)

Cardiac Surgery

Quality Indicators for (Cardiac Surgery)

Cardiac Rehabilitation

Data Elements and Definitions (Cardiac Rehabilitation and Secondary Prevention)

Quality Indicators (Cardiac Rehabilitation and Secondary Prevention)

Heart Failure

Data Elements and Definitions (Heart Failure)
Quality Indicators (Heart Failure)

Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI)

Quality Indicators (Percutaneous Coronary Intervention)

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI)

Quality Indicators for Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation

Miscellaneous

Core Elements and Demographics Data Elements and Definitions

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