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Release Notes:
Data Element
Version 2010B

Data Element Name: Pre-Arrival LDL-Cholesterol Test
Collected For: AMI-T1a, AMI-T2, , (CMS Optional Test Measures)
Definition:LDL-cholesterol (LDL-c) test was performed within one year prior to hospital arrival.
Suggested Data Collection Question:Was an LDL-cholesterol (LDL-c) test performed within one year prior to hospital arrival?
Format:
Length:1
Type:Alphanumeric
Occurs:1
Allowable Values:

Y    (Yes)   LDL-c test was performed within one year prior to hospital arrival.

N   (No)   LDL-c test was not performed within one year prior to hospital arrival or unable to determine from medical record documentation.

Notes for Abstraction:
  • If there is documentation that LDL-c/lipid testing was done prior to arrival but the exact timeframe is not specified or determinable, select “No.” EXCEPTION: If documentation describes the LDL-c/lipid testing as having been done in the “recent” past, it should be inferred that it was done within one year prior to arrival.
  • In the absence of explicit documentation that an LDL-c test was or was not performed within one year prior to hospital arrival, it should be inferred that a test was done within one year if:
    • There is documentation of an LDL-c value from a test performed within one year prior to hospital arrival (e.g., “LDL-c 135 in November”), or
    • There is physician/advanced practice nurse/physician assistant (physician/APN/PA) documentation which qualitatively describes the patient’s LDL-c from a test performed within one year prior to hospital arrival (e.g., “Labs last month showed elevated lipids,” ”CABG in June. Cholesterol levels now good on Lipitor”), or
    • There is documentation that lipid testing was performed within one year prior to hospital arrival (e.g., “Cholesterol testing done in April”).
  • Documentation must suggest that the qualitative description of LDL-c is from a test done within one year prior to arrival: Do not make assumptions. In the following examples, “No” should be selected:
    • “Lipids have been good - patient on Zocor” per H&P
    • Physician/APN/PA notes “Risk factor - dyslipidemia” in progress note
    • “Pt. denies hypercholesterolemia” per physician/APN/PA progress note
    • ER physician/APN/PA notes “No hx hyperlipidemia”
  • Do not include pre-arrival lipid testing or qualitative descriptions of pre-arrival lipid test results if it can be determined that LDL-c measurement was not part of the lipid testing. In the following examples, “No” should be selected:
    • Lipid profile done during hospitalization 6 months ago, per H&P, but the laboratory report from the hospitalization included in the chart lists only cholesterol and triglyceride values.
    • Physician/APN/PA notes “Labs from office visit on 04-03-2008 showed elevated cholesterol,” but the 04-03-2008 laboratory report from the outpatient records included in the chart lists only a total cholesterol value.
Suggested Data Sources:
  • Consultation notes
  • Emergency department record
  • History and physical
  • Progress notes
  • Discharge summary
Additional Notes:
Guidelines for Abstraction:
Inclusion Exclusion
LDL-cholesterol (LDL-c)
  • Low den lipoprotein
  • Low density lipoprotein (LDL)
  • Value described as “bad cholesterol”

Qualitative description of LDL-c

  • Cholesterol level qualitatively described (e.g., low, normal, elevated, ↑)
  • Dyslipidemia (presence or absence)
  • Dyslipoproteinemia (presence or absence)
  • Hyperbetalipoproteinemia (presence or absence)
  • Hypercholesterolemia (presence or absence)
  • Hyperlipemia (presence or absence)
  • Hyperlipidemia (presence or absence)
  • Hyperlipoproteinemia (presence or absence)
  • LDL level qualitatively described (e.g., low, normal, elevated, above goal, below target, ↑)
  • LDL-cholesterol (LDL-c) level qualitatively described (e.g., low, normal, elevated, ↑)
  • Lipid levels qualitatively described (e.g., low, normal, elevated, ↑)

Lipid testing

  • Cholesterol analysis
  • Cholesterol check (✓)
  • Cholesterol panel
  • Cholesterol profile
  • Cholesterol testing
  • Fasting lipids
  • LDL: HDL
  • LDL: HDL ratio
  • Lipid analysis
  • Lipid check (✓)
  • Lipid panel
  • Lipid profile
  • Lipids
  • Lipoprotein analysis

LDL-cholesterol
VLDL (very low density lipoprotein)

Qualitative description of LDL-c
Alpha lipoproteinemia (presence or absence)

Pre-Arrival LDL-Cholesterol Test
Specifications Manual for Joint Commission National Quality Core Measures (2010B)
Discharges 10-01-10 (4Q10) through 03-31-11 (1Q11)