What is Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI)?

It is commonly known as stenting, a minimally invasive medical procedure used to treat blocked or narrowed coronary arteries. During PCI, a thin catheter is inserted through a blood vessel, typically in the groin or wrist, and guided to the site of the blockage. A small balloon at the tip of the catheter is inflated to widen the artery and improve blood flow. In many cases, a stent (a tiny metal scaffold) is also placed to help keep the artery open, reducing the risk of future blockages.

Why is PCI done?

PCI is performed to relieve symptoms of coronary artery disease, such as chest pain, and to prevent heart-related complications.

Value-Based Health Care Benefits

Patients

  • Lower costs
  • Better outcome

Providers

  • Higher patient satisfaction rates
  • Better care efficiencies

Payors

  • Stronger cost controls
  • Reduced risks

Society

  • Reduced healthcare expenses
  • Better overall health

What are Value Driven Outcomes?

Value Driven Outcomes is a simple concept of improving care for patients with an aim to drive down costs. With its fundamental factors based on overall patient wellness and preventive measures, reaching this goal is based on a set of adjustments in how patients receive medical treatment. Overall wellness, quality of care, and preventive screenings all are taken into consideration, ultimately resulting in better healthcare outcomes.

In Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur, we are aiming to make healthcare proactive rather than reactive, preventing problems from occurring before they start. In view of that, we had designed a Value Driven Outcomes (VDO) framework for Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI), in which pre-set quality indicators were used to determine cost rationalisation.

PCI Quality Indicators (benchmarks)

  1. Aspirin, Thienopyridines, Statins prescribed at discharge

    This metric assesses the ideal post-procedure medical treatment, which involves prescribing aspirin, thienopyridines, and statins to patients upon discharge, unless there are specific medical reasons not to do so. The goal is to lower the occurrence of negative heart-related events and reduce mortality rates.

  2. Documentation of PCI indication

    PCIs are performed to improve symptoms or survival. Documentation of these elements helps determine patient’s indication for the procedure and also provides prognostic utility.

  3. No PCI- related complication

    As complications have significant impact on patient survival and healthcare costs, it is important to monitor the complication rate to access outcomes and to identify possible areas for improvement.

  4. No cardiac specific readmission within 30 days post procedure

    Such readmissions indicate potential adverse results associated with the procedure itself. Analyzing this data can assist in pinpointing areas for enhancement in order to optimize both medical treatment and post-discharge care.

  5. No in- hospital mortality

    It is important to monitor in-hospital mortality rate to review practice patterns and to initiate improvements strategies.

  6. No 20 Group wide serious reportable events categories reported

    To monitor, evaluate and review the various serious reportable events occurring in the hospitals and take corrective actions to address issues that have been identified. This is to prevent the recurrence of similar events, allowing cross learning and improvement.

Where does Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur stand

Against International Benchmark

Clinical IndicatorsInternational Benchmark20222023
Aspirin, Thienopyridines, Statins prescribed at discharge 84.3%81%99%
Documentation of PCI indication99.2%100%100%
No PCI- related complication99%100%100%
No cardiac specific readmission within 30 days post procedure93.5%99%100%
No in- hospital mortality98.1%100%100%
No 20 Group wide serious reportable events categories reported100%100%100%

Reference:
Ahmad M, M. P. (2022, Jun 11). Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.