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Quality of Lipid Management in Outpatient Care: A National Study Using Electronic Health Records

Department of Family, Medicine at St. Francis Hospital, Wilmington, Delaware, gillj{at}dvoresearch.com

Yingxia Chen, MS

Delaware Valley Outcomes Research, Newark, Delaware

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. (Am J Med Qual 2008;23:375-381)

Key Words: electronic medical records • ambulatory care • quality of care • hyperlipidemia • outcomes research

American Journal of Medical Quality, Vol. 23, No. 5, 375-381 (2008)
DOI: 10.1177/1062860608320625


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