The objective is to compile a clinical database on the medical management of patients hospitalized with acute HF, using information collected from acute care hospitals across the United States; To assist hospitals in evaluating and improving quality of care for patients with acute HF by tracking quality indicators and providing benchmark data reports; To describe the demographic and clinical characteristics of patients who are hospitalized with acute HF; To characterize the initial emergency department evaluation and subsequent inpatient management of patients hospitalized with acute HF; To identify patient characteristics and medical care practices associated with improved health outcomes in those hospitalized with acute HF; To characterize trends and changes over time in the management of acute HF; To offer surveillance of adherence to practice guidelines as these emerge for the inpatient management of acute HF.

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