Original ArticleThe Establishment of the Victorian Cardiac Outcomes Registry (VCOR): Monitoring and Optimising Outcomes for Cardiac Patients in Victoria
Introduction
Despite the steady decline in cardiovascular-related deaths over the last 5 decades in economically advantaged countries, the management of heart disease in all its various forms remains a key public health priority. In 2014, coronary heart disease was still the leading underlying cause of death among Australians, accounting for 13.1% of all deaths registered in that year. Cardiovascular disease represented the highest level of expenditure of any disease group [1]. Large numbers of Australians are also living with cardiovascular disease, often for extended periods and the number of cardiovascular procedures continues to climb, with 50,000 more coronary procedures in 2011–2012 than in 2000–2001. Given the impact of heart disease on both the individual and the community, it is critical that public health initiatives and policies are directed at delivering treatment with high levels of safety and quality.
The Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine (DEPM), Monash University, conducted a pilot registry for cardiac procedures in 2009–10, which was the forerunner to VCOR. This was on a background of the Melbourne Interventional Group registry, which was established at Monash University in 2004, and continues to the present day [2]. In late 2011, funding was obtained to set up a state-wide cardiac outcomes registry in Victoria. The current paper describes the VCOR registry aims, methods, governance structure and progress to date.
Section snippets
Methods
The Victorian Cardiac Outcomes Registry (VCOR) was established in 2012 as a clinical quality registry to monitor the performance of health services in Victoria in the delivery of high quality, cardiac-based therapies. The registry encompasses hospitals in both the public and private sectors and reports on the quality and effectiveness of cardiovascular health care in Victoria [3].
Results
From January 2013 until December 2016, VCOR has collected data on 33,691 cardiac patients across three separate modules (PCI, Regional STEMI, Heart failure) in 35 hospitals.
Conclusions
The Victorian Cardiac Outcomes Registry provides a detailed description of selected aspects of contemporary cardiology clinical practice in a majority of Victorian hospitals. This information enables hospitals and cardiac units to benchmark their practice, clinical outcomes and standards of care to other similar units and hospitals across the state. As the focus on measuring quality and safety across the Australian health system continues to grow, the establishment and continued success of
Conflict of Interest
The authors declare no relationships or affiliations that may be deemed conflicts of interest.
Acknowledgements
VCOR would not be possible without the efforts of doctors, nurses, data managers and other relevant hospital staff who contribute data to the VCOR. Lead clinical staff from hospitals participating in the VCOR are also gratefully acknowledged. The Victorian Department of Health and Human Services and Victorian Cardiac Clinical Network have provided start-up and ongoing funding for VCOR. Start-up funding was also provided by Medibank Private before its privatisation. The VCOR steering committee
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