title: Quality of lipid management in outpatient care: a national study using electronic health records.
abstract: To examine lipid management in a large national outpatient network, a cross-sectional study was conducted that included 1,385,242 active patients ages 20 to 79 years of age in a national network of over 5000 providers using electronic health records (EHRs). Adequate lipid testing, achievement of lipid goals, and appropriate use of lipid-lowering medication were defined according to National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) guidelines. Lipid testing was adequate for 62% of high-risk, 67% of moderate-risk, and 36% of low-risk patients. Lipid goals were achieved in 65%, 66%, and 90% of these 3 risk groups; 35%, 45%, and 32% achieved adequate testing and optimal goals. Medications were appropriately prescribed for 70%, 47%, and 48%. There is significant room for improvement in lipid management, particularly among high-risk patients. National EHR networks are excellent vehicles for large outpatient quality of care studies, particularly for measuring clinical outcomes such as lipid levels.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family, Medicine at St. Francis Hospital, Wilmington, Delaware, USA. gillj@dvoresearch.com
authors.forename: James M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Gill
authors.forename: Yingxia
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004363:Drug Utilization; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D016347:Medical Records Systems, Computerized / Q000458:organization & administration*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010045:Outpatients; D011787:Quality of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors
chemical_list: D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents; D008055:Lipids