Category: Federal Forum Posters
Purpose: Statins are essential to managing and preventing cardiovascular events. The past 5 years has seen a shift in guidelines from targeting low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels to using patients’ cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk to determine statin potency. The universal recommendation for patients with the highest risk is at least a moderate intensity statin. Highest risk patients are aged 40 to 75 with coronary artery disease (CAD), diabetes mellitus (DM), or LDL above 190. This review aims to determine how well the Sarasota VA CBOC is adhering to the use of at least a moderate intensity statin for high risk patients.
Methods: This medication utilization review will be evaluated by the Bay Pines VA Healthcare System Research and Development Service for consideration as a quality improvement project. On August 17, 2018, the Primary Care Almanac will be used to identify patients from the Sarasota CBOC who are prescribed a statin below moderate intensity dose, and patients with ischemic heart disease, diabetes or LDL >/= 190 who are not on a VA provided statin. Patients younger than 40 or over 75 will be excluded. Chart review will be performed to determine possible reason for no VA prescription of moderate intensity statin therapy (i.e. prior Adverse drug reaction/intolerance to higher dose, drug-drug interaction preventing dose increase, on statin from non-VA source, no reason identified). Data will be collected, de-identified and stored within a controlled access folder. The results of these findings will be presented as a percent of patients who are receiving at least a moderate intensity statin. Of the patients who are not on at least a moderate intensity statin, percentage with clinical reasons for not receiving or those that may benefit from therapy will be reported. This information will be valuable for implementing treatment in patients where statins provide the most benefit.
Results: In process
Conclusion: In process
Patricia Pajak
– PGY1 Pharmacy Resident, Bay Pines Veterans Affairs Healthcare System, St. Pete, FL143 Views