Stroke and Stroke Rehabilitation: Anticoagulant Therapy Prescribed for Atrial Fibrillation at Discharge

INACTIVE REVIEW: This measure review is older than five years.

Percentage of patients aged 18 years and older with a diagnosis of ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) with documented permanent, persistent, or paroxysmal atrial fibrillation who were prescribed an anticoagulant at discharge

Date Reviewed: April 7, 2014
Support
    Group/Practice Individual Clinician

Measure Info

NQF 0241 CMS 033 NQF Endorsement Removed
Measure Type
Process
Measure Steward
American Academy of Neurology
Clinical Topic Area
Stroke
Care Setting
Inpatient
Data Source
Claims
Electronic Health Records
Registry

Atrial fibrillation is a significant modifiable risk factor for stroke. Preventive treatment lessens the chance of subsequent events and their attendant costs, morbidity, and mortality. The measure aligns clinicians’ practice with the goals of high value care by its focus on low-cost prevention of potentially expensive sequelae. We note that the measure would be improved by a clear enumeration of the medical reasons for withholding treatment. Reasons related to risk (for example, risk of fall) should require documentation of evaluation.