title: Outcomes of a multidisciplinary partnership to improve cardiac wellness: an opportunity for pharmacists.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the results of an initiative to create awareness of coronary heart disease and provide education regarding cardiovascular (CV) risk and cholesterol (lipid) management in a community-based senior population. A multidisciplinary partnership composed of governmental agencies, a member of the pharmaceutical industry, a college of pharmacy, and several community-based health care practitioners collaborated in the program.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective CV risk assessment, educational interventions, and follow-up.
  
  
  METHODS
  Community centers providing wellness and activity programs for ambulatory seniors.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ambulatory senior adults who were active participants in senior center programs were invited to participate in a series of health screenngs at a center-based health fair. Those who met specific evidence-based qualifying criteria were enrolled in the program.
  
  
  METHODS
  Changes in CV risk profile, specifically, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein (HDL-C), triglycerides (TG), blood glucose levels; and attainment of National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) lipid goals of the Adult Treatment Panel III.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Initial screening of 501 patients for eligibility allowed 273 patients to qualify and enroll in the program. A total of 112 (41.0%) participants returned for the year 2 follow-up, leaving a loss to follow-up of 161 patients. Compared with baseline, reductions occurred in total cholesterol (206.8 mg/dL vs.182.9 mg/dL), LDL-C (122.2 mg/dL vs. 105.5 mg/dL), HDL-C (51.5 mg/dL vs. 49.6 mg/dL), TG (164.8 mg/dL vs. 136.4 mg/dL), and blood glucose (115 mg/dL vs. 106.3 mg/dL); the number of patients with less than two risk factors decreased from 43 (38.4%) to 28 (25.0%) and those with two or more risk factors increased from 69 (61.6%) to 84 (75.0%); the number of patients at NCEP (lipid) goal increased from 57 (50.9%) to 80 (71.4%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  For senior adults participating in the program, improvements occurred in both the lipid profiles and the number of patients at their NCEP (lipid) goal, although the number of seniors with > or = two risk factors increased from 69 (61.6%) to 84 (75.0%). A multidisciplinary partnership for improving the CV health and awareness of an ambulatory senior population is a unique opportunity for pharmacists to provide wellness services for seniors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy Practice, Mercer University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Atlanta, Georgia, USA. miller_sw@mercer.edu
authors.forename: Susan W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: Edress
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Darsey
authors.forename: Thomas J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Heard
authors.forename: Jill
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: Maureen
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kelly
authors.forename: Arnisha
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Norman
authors.forename: Linh B
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: Ter Riet
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood*; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D010595:Pharmacists / Q000458:organization & administration; D024382:Professional Role; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D002784:Cholesterol