Measuring quality in electrophysiology

The evolving healthcare environment demands optimally measured quality of care. Performance measures are increasingly being used for quality improvement, public reporting, and reimbursement determinations. The National Quality Forum has created rigorous criteria for the evaluation of potential performance measures across medical fields. The Heart Rhythm Society has championed the development of four separate electrophysiology (EP)-specific performance measures: implantable cardioverter defibrillator complication rate, cardiac tamponade and/or pericardiocentesis following atrial fibrillation ablation, infection within 180 days of a cardiac implantable electronic device implantation, replacement, or revision, and in-person evaluation following a cardiac implantable electronic device implantation. National registries serve a key role in developing performance measures and facilitating quality improvement, particularly as they provide improved granularity and accuracy of data compared with administrative claims data. All performance measures demand continued reassessment as technology and performance gaps change and as unintended consequences may arise.