[Quality and performance in cardiac pacing and electrophysiology. An update to the 2010 Italian Association of Arrhythmology and Cardiac Pacing (AIAC) - Italian Federation of Cardiology (IFC) Document 'Structure and functional organization of Arrhythmology']

G Ital Cardiol (Rome). 2020 May;21(5):385-393. doi: 10.1714/3343.33141.
[Article in Italian]

Abstract

In the last decade the field of cardiac pacing and electrophysiology underwent major advancements thanks to both new ways of arrhythmia management and technological innovations. At the same time, the clinical competence and the procedural qualitative level of Cardiac Rhythm Centers have increased significantly. In 2010 an ad hoc Committee of the Italian Association of Arrhythmology and Cardiac Pacing (AIAC) and the Italian Federation of Cardiology (FIC) published a consensus document on the organization of Cardiac Rhythm Centers and on the standards of professional practice in pacing and electrophysiology in Italy. In particular, this document focused on the minimal requirements of a Center to be qualified as suitable to perform first, second and third-level cardiac pacing and electrophysiology activities. However, most of these indicators have been overcome over time. Thus, an update of the previously published organizational model appeared necessary. In this document several new requirements and indicators about the organization and performance of both operators and Cardiac Arrhythmia Centers have been introduced. These include: (i) "structural and procedural requirements" (types of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed, logistic structures, healthcare staff and technologies), (ii) "activity indicators" (number of procedures performed); (iii) "appropriateness indicators" (adherence to guideline recommendations); (iv) "outcome indicators" (procedural success and complications); and (v) "quality of care indicators" (management and continuity of care levels). By applying these requirements and indicators, each center can optimize its procedures, increasing its performance and effectiveness. Finally, a new model for the organization of the Italian network of Cardiac Arrhythmia Centers is also suggested.

MeSH terms

  • Arrhythmias, Cardiac / diagnosis
  • Arrhythmias, Cardiac / therapy*
  • Cardiac Care Facilities / organization & administration
  • Cardiac Care Facilities / standards*
  • Cardiac Care Facilities / statistics & numerical data
  • Cardiac Pacing, Artificial / standards*
  • Cardiology / organization & administration
  • Cardiology / standards
  • Clinical Competence
  • Consensus*
  • Electrocardiography / instrumentation
  • Electrocardiography / standards
  • Electrophysiology / organization & administration
  • Electrophysiology / standards*
  • Guideline Adherence
  • Humans
  • Italy
  • Quality Indicators, Health Care
  • Societies, Medical