Aspirin prescribed at discharge

What It Means
The percentage of patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction who were prescribed aspirin at hospital discharge.

Why It Is Important
Clinical evidence shows that long-term use of aspirin after AMI reduces the risk of non-fatal heart attacks, non-fatal strokes and death.

Numerator Definition
Patients with AMI who are prescribed aspirin at hospital discharge

Denominator Definition
Patients with AMI without aspirin contraindications

Denominator Excluded Populations

• Patients less than 18 years of age
• Patients who have a Length of Stay >120 days
• Patients with Comfort Measures Only documented
• Patients enrolled in clinical trials
• Patients discharged/transferred to another hospital for inpatient care
• Patients who left against medical advice or discontinued care
• Patients who expired
• Patients discharged/transferred to a federal health care facility
• Patients discharged/transferred to hospice
• Patients with one or more of the following aspirin contraindications/reasons for not prescribing aspirin documented in the medical record:
       -   Aspirin allergy
       -   Coumadin/warfarin prescribed at discharge
       -   Other reasons documented by a physician/advanced practice nurse/physician assistant for not prescribing aspirin at discharge

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