Health IT systems provided support for a coordinated care model that helped high-risk patients meet national cholesterol guidelines, according to a new study conducted by Kaiser Permanente Colorado, Healthcare IT News reports (Merrill, Healthcare IT News, 5/14).
Of 7,247 Kaiser Permanente Colorado patients with a very high risk of heart disease, the study found that more than 43% lowered their low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels from 100 milligrams per deciliter of blood to the recommended level of 70 milligrams per deciliter (Pulley, "Health IT Update," NextGov, 5/14).
Kaiser Permanente Colorado offers all patients with a history of heart disease the opportunity to enroll in a disease management program called the Collaborative Cardiac Care Service. Hospital officials use electronic health records and computerized disease registries to help care teams coordinate treatment for participating patients.
In addition, clinical pharmacy specialists and nurses collaborate to:
- Increase the number of patients who use long-term lipid lowering therapies;
- Manage medications that lower the risk of future heart attacks; and
- Provide patients with information about healthier lifestyles.
Study co-author Amy Kauffman of Kaiser Permanente Colorado said, "Our study suggests that a combination of care coordination, technology, and close monitoring and follow up may ultimately get more people to the aggressive cholesterol targets over the long term" (Healthcare IT News, 5/14).