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	<title>EP Insights &#187; Andrea M. Russo, MD, FACC, FHRS</title>
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	<description>Ideas and information for heart rhythm professionals from leaders in the field.</description>
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		<title>EP Insights &#187; Andrea M. Russo, MD, FACC, FHRS</title>
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		<title>How Do We Measure &#8220;Quality&#8221; In Electrophysiology?</title>
		<link>http://epinsights.org/2011/08/30/how-do-we-measure-quality-in-electrophysiology/</link>
		<comments>http://epinsights.org/2011/08/30/how-do-we-measure-quality-in-electrophysiology/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 30 Aug 2011 13:34:11 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Andrea M. Russo, MD, FACC, FHRS</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Health Policy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Electrophysiology]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Quality & outcomes]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Quality Initiatives]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://epinsights.org/?p=1507</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[As our healthcare system evolves from one based on “volume” to one based on “value,” physicians and practices need a mechanism to demonstrate their commitment to continuous quality improvement and achievement of quality thresholds.  The Quality Improvement Subcommittee of the Heart Rhythm Society (HRS) has taken the initiative to develop performance measures that are pertinent [...]<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=epinsights.org&amp;blog=9956112&amp;post=1507&amp;subd=heartrhythmsociety&amp;ref=&amp;feed=1" width="1" height="1" />]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>2</slash:comments>
	
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			<media:title type="html">Andrea M. Russo, MD, FACC, FHRS</media:title>
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		<title>Defibrillation Testing: Still Necessary or Just Risky?</title>
		<link>http://epinsights.org/2011/02/25/defibrillation-testing-is-it-still-necessary-or-just-risky/</link>
		<comments>http://epinsights.org/2011/02/25/defibrillation-testing-is-it-still-necessary-or-just-risky/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 25 Feb 2011 14:52:32 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Andrea M. Russo, MD, FACC, FHRS</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Scientific Sessions]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Clinical trials]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ICD]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sudden Cardiac Death]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://epinsights.org/?p=1128</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[There is ongoing controversy regarding the need for defibrillation testing at the time of initial implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) insertion. With advancements in ICD technology, including biphasic waveforms, active cans, and high output devices, the need for defibrillation testing has been questioned. However, multicenter clinical trials demonstrating the efficacy of ICDs for prevention of sudden cardiac [...]<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=epinsights.org&amp;blog=9956112&amp;post=1128&amp;subd=heartrhythmsociety&amp;ref=&amp;feed=1" width="1" height="1" />]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://epinsights.org/2011/02/25/defibrillation-testing-is-it-still-necessary-or-just-risky/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
	
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			<media:title type="html">Andrea M. Russo, MD, FACC, FHRS</media:title>
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		<title>ICD Registries: Quality Initiatives vs. Wasted Efforts</title>
		<link>http://epinsights.org/2011/02/10/icd-registries-quality-initiatives-vs-wasted-efforts/</link>
		<comments>http://epinsights.org/2011/02/10/icd-registries-quality-initiatives-vs-wasted-efforts/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 10 Feb 2011 15:04:41 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Andrea M. Russo, MD, FACC, FHRS</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Health Policy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Scientific Sessions]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ICD]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ICD Registry]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://epinsights.org/?p=1124</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Participation in the the ICD Registry™ Program has been mandated by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for hospitals implanting devices in Medicare patients for the primary prevention of sudden cardiac death. This data acquisition and reporting requires additional manpower and resources, without any additional reimbursement. Furthermore, controversy exists regarding the clear value [...]<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=epinsights.org&amp;blog=9956112&amp;post=1124&amp;subd=heartrhythmsociety&amp;ref=&amp;feed=1" width="1" height="1" />]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://epinsights.org/2011/02/10/icd-registries-quality-initiatives-vs-wasted-efforts/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>1</slash:comments>
	
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		<title>Should All ICD Leads on Advisory be Extracted at the Time of Generator Replacement?</title>
		<link>http://epinsights.org/2011/01/11/should-all-icd-leads-on-advisory-be-extracted-at-the-time-of-generator-replacement/</link>
		<comments>http://epinsights.org/2011/01/11/should-all-icd-leads-on-advisory-be-extracted-at-the-time-of-generator-replacement/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 11 Jan 2011 20:00:28 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Andrea M. Russo, MD, FACC, FHRS</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Scientific Sessions]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ICD]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Leads]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://epinsights.org/?p=1115</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[We now face a dilemma about what to do with transvenous ICD leads that have a high failure rate. It is well established that the ICD lead is the “weakest link” in the ICD system. Should leads with a high failure rate be prophylactically extracted? What are the contemporary risks of extraction? On the other [...]<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=epinsights.org&amp;blog=9956112&amp;post=1115&amp;subd=heartrhythmsociety&amp;ref=&amp;feed=1" width="1" height="1" />]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://epinsights.org/2011/01/11/should-all-icd-leads-on-advisory-be-extracted-at-the-time-of-generator-replacement/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>2</slash:comments>
	
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		<title>Should We Reprocess and Re-Implant ICDs and Pacemakers?</title>
		<link>http://epinsights.org/2010/11/24/should-we-reprocess-and-re-implant-icds-and-pacemakers/</link>
		<comments>http://epinsights.org/2010/11/24/should-we-reprocess-and-re-implant-icds-and-pacemakers/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 24 Nov 2010 17:56:53 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Andrea M. Russo, MD, FACC, FHRS</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Scientific Sessions]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Heart Rhythm 2011]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Quality & outcomes]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://epinsights.org/?p=1119</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[We are very fortunate to have access to the latest life-saving technology in the United States and other developed countries. In contrast, patients in underserved regions face the risk of increased morbidity and even mortality related to lack of access to even simple pacemakers for the treatment of symptomatic bradycardia.  Many patients in developed countries [...]<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=epinsights.org&amp;blog=9956112&amp;post=1119&amp;subd=heartrhythmsociety&amp;ref=&amp;feed=1" width="1" height="1" />]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://epinsights.org/2010/11/24/should-we-reprocess-and-re-implant-icds-and-pacemakers/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>5</slash:comments>
	
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			<media:title type="html">Andrea M. Russo, MD, FACC, FHRS</media:title>
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		<title>Health Care Policy: Let’s Work Together to Make a Difference!</title>
		<link>http://epinsights.org/2010/07/29/health-care-policy-let%e2%80%99s-work-together-to-make-a-difference/</link>
		<comments>http://epinsights.org/2010/07/29/health-care-policy-let%e2%80%99s-work-together-to-make-a-difference/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 29 Jul 2010 18:22:09 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Andrea M. Russo, MD, FACC, FHRS</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Health Policy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Healthcare reform]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Reimbursement]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://epinsights.org/?p=965</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Recent changes in U.S. health care policy and reimbursement will greatly affect how we deliver care to patients with arrhythmia disorders.  The Heart Rhythm Society (HRS) maintains a strong voice in Washington, D.C., with advocacy efforts focusing on issues of critical importance to heart rhythm specialists.  Our goal is to help promote a stronger health [...]<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=epinsights.org&amp;blog=9956112&amp;post=965&amp;subd=heartrhythmsociety&amp;ref=&amp;feed=1" width="1" height="1" />]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://epinsights.org/2010/07/29/health-care-policy-let%e2%80%99s-work-together-to-make-a-difference/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
	
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			<media:title type="html">Andrea M. Russo, MD, FACC, FHRS</media:title>
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		<title>CVRP: Identifying Quality in Cardiovascular Care</title>
		<link>http://epinsights.org/2010/05/28/cvrp-identifying-quality-in-cardiovascular-care/</link>
		<comments>http://epinsights.org/2010/05/28/cvrp-identifying-quality-in-cardiovascular-care/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 28 May 2010 10:00:58 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Andrea M. Russo, MD, FACC, FHRS</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Health Policy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CVRP]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Practice management]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Quality & outcomes]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://epinsights.org/?p=530</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[As health care evolves from a system based on “volume” to one based on “value,” practices will need a mechanism to show their commitment to continuous quality improvement. How do you integrate quality into your practice? To address this question, the Heart Rhythm Society is collaborating with cardiovascular medical societies to develop Cardiovascular Practice Recognition [...]<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=epinsights.org&amp;blog=9956112&amp;post=530&amp;subd=heartrhythmsociety&amp;ref=&amp;feed=1" width="1" height="1" />]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
	
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		<title>Performance Measures: Defining Our Terms</title>
		<link>http://epinsights.org/2010/05/03/performance-measures-defining-our-terms/</link>
		<comments>http://epinsights.org/2010/05/03/performance-measures-defining-our-terms/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 03 May 2010 11:42:23 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Andrea M. Russo, MD, FACC, FHRS</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Health Policy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Healthcare reform]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Quality & outcomes]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Reimbursement]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://epinsights.org/?p=526</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Public and private payers are moving away from fee-for-service models and toward value-based purchasing models to reimburse physicians, hospitals, and other health care professionals. With the goal to create incentives to deliver higher quality care and lower overall costs, providers are increasingly being held accountable to quality standards and performance measures. As electrophysiologists respond to [...]<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=epinsights.org&amp;blog=9956112&amp;post=526&amp;subd=heartrhythmsociety&amp;ref=&amp;feed=1" width="1" height="1" />]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://epinsights.org/2010/05/03/performance-measures-defining-our-terms/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
	
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			<media:title type="html">Andrea M. Russo, MD, FACC, FHRS</media:title>
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		<title>What is Quality Care?</title>
		<link>http://epinsights.org/2010/04/06/what-is-quality-care/</link>
		<comments>http://epinsights.org/2010/04/06/what-is-quality-care/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 06 Apr 2010 14:43:13 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Andrea M. Russo, MD, FACC, FHRS</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Health Policy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Quality & outcomes]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://epinsights.org/?p=528</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[What is the definition of “quality care?”  According to the Institute of Medicine, “quality care” can be defined as the degree to which health care services for individuals and for populations increase the likelihood of desired health care outcomes and are consistent with current professional knowledge.  The key dimensions of “quality” measurement should include consideration [...]<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=epinsights.org&amp;blog=9956112&amp;post=528&amp;subd=heartrhythmsociety&amp;ref=&amp;feed=1" width="1" height="1" />]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
	
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			<media:title type="html">Andrea M. Russo, MD, FACC, FHRS</media:title>
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		<title>ICD Shocks and Mortality: “The Chicken or the Egg?”</title>
		<link>http://epinsights.org/2010/03/08/icd-shocks-and-mortality-%e2%80%9cthe-chicken-or-the-egg%e2%80%9d/</link>
		<comments>http://epinsights.org/2010/03/08/icd-shocks-and-mortality-%e2%80%9cthe-chicken-or-the-egg%e2%80%9d/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 08 Mar 2010 13:53:42 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Andrea M. Russo, MD, FACC, FHRS</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Scientific Sessions]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Antitachycardia pacing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ICD]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://epinsights.org/?p=271</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Do implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) shocks increase mortality? There is now some data to suggest that shocks are associated with increased mortality. Is this because “shocks are bad,” or are these shocks just markers for the severity of underlying heart disease? In addition, can we infer that “painless” therapy using antitachycardia pacing will be beneficial [...]<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=epinsights.org&amp;blog=9956112&amp;post=271&amp;subd=heartrhythmsociety&amp;ref=&amp;feed=1" width="1" height="1" />]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://epinsights.org/2010/03/08/icd-shocks-and-mortality-%e2%80%9cthe-chicken-or-the-egg%e2%80%9d/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
	
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