Use of consumer survey data to target cessation messages to smokers through mass media.

Objectives: We identified the mass media channels that reach the most cigarette smokers in an attempt to more effectively target smoking cessation messages.

Methods: Reach estimates and index scores for smokers were taken from 2002-2003 ConsumerStyles and HealthStyles national surveys of adults (N=11660) to estimate overall and demographic-specific exposure measures for television, radio, newspapers, and magazines.

Results: Smokers viewed more television, listened to more radio, and read fewer magazines and newspapers than did nonsmokers.

Improving quality of care for acute myocardial infarction: The Guidelines Applied in Practice (GAP) Initiative.

Context: Quality of care of patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) has received intense attention. However, it is unknown if a structured initiative for improving care of patients with AMI can be effectively implemented at a wide variety of hospitals.

Objective: To measure the effects of a quality improvement project on adherence to evidence-based therapies for patients with AMI.

Taking the national guideline for care of acute myocardial infarction to the bedside: developing the guideline applied in practice (GAP) initiative in Southeast Michigan.

Background: The Guideline Applied in Practice (GAP) program was developed in 2000 to improve the quality of care by improving adherence to clinical practice guidelines. For the first GAP project, the American College of Cardiology (ACC) partnered with the Southeast Michigan Quality Forum Cardiovascular Subgroup and the Michigan Peer Review Organization (MPRO) to develop interventions that might facilitate the use of the ACC/AHA Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI) guideline in the practice setting. Ten Michigan hospitals participated in implementing the project, which began in March 2000.