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Understanding the current process of care for patients with cirrhosis is important given its association with substantial morbidity and mortality. Recently, a new set of quality indicators for cirrhosis has been developed (Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2010; 8:709). Now, the same authors apply these indicators to assess the quality of care provided to patients with cirrhosis and ascites.
Investigators selected a cohort of 774 patients (99% male) with cirrhosis and ascites from a Veterans Administration (VA) patient database. The quality indicators examined included paracentesis after documentation of new onset ascites, conducting ascitic fluid cell count after paracentesis, paracentesis during hospitalization or encephalopathy, appropriate prim…