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Evaluation of a pharmacist-managed lipid clinic that uses point-of-care lipid testing
Katherine R Gerrald1, Dave L Dixon, Debra J Barnette
1Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, Medical Center Boulevard, Pharmacy Department, Winston Salem, NC 27157, USA.
Insights
Pharmacist-managed outpatient lipid clinics improve low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) goal attainment. Utilizing point-of-care testing in these clinics enhances patient outcomes for cardiovascular disease risk reduction.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Clinical Pharmacy
- Public Health
Background:
- Hyperlipidemia is a key modifiable risk factor for coronary heart disease.
- Despite improvements, many high-risk patients do not meet low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) goals.
- Pharmacist-led lipid clinics show promise in improving lipid management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of a new hospital-based, outpatient lipid clinic.
- To assess the effectiveness of point-of-care testing in achieving LDL-C goals.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective observational analysis (February 2007 - December 2008).
- Primary outcome: change in proportion of patients achieving LDL-C goal.
- Included 81 patients with a mean follow-up of 9.0 months.
Main Results:
- Significant increase in LDL-C goal attainment from 55.3% at baseline to 82.9% (P < .0001).
- Mean LDL-C decreased from 103 mg/dL to 82 mg/dL (P < .0001).
Conclusions:
- Hospital-based, pharmacist-managed outpatient lipid clinics effectively improve LDL-C goal attainment.
- Point-of-care testing during face-to-face visits facilitated timely therapy adjustments and improved outcomes.
Background:
Hyperlipidemia is a significant, modifiable risk factor for developing coronary heart disease. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) goal achievement has improved overall, but many high-risk patients remain above the desired LDL-C goals. Published data have demonstrated the ability of pharmacist-managed lipid clinics to improve lipid management in a variety of clinical settings.
Objective:
This observational analysis aimed to report the impact of a newly developed hospital-based, outpatient lipid clinic by the use of point-of-care testing on LDL-C goal attainment.
Methods:
A retrospective, observational analysis was conducted from February 2007 to December 2008. The primary outcome measure was the change in the proportion of patients who achieved their LDL-C goal at the end of the observation period compared with baseline.
Results:
A total of 81 patients met study inclusion criteria. Mean duration of follow-up was 9.0 ± 4.9 (SD) months. At the end of the observation period, 82.9% of patients achieved their LDL-C goal compared with 55.3% at baseline (P < .0001). The mean LDL-C decreased from 103 ± 45 mg/dL at baseline to 82 ± 28 mg/dL at the end of the observation period (P < .0001).
Conclusion:
An outpatient hospital-based, pharmacist-managed lipid clinic improved LDL-C goal attainment. Our results are unique in that pharmacists used point-of-care testing to obtain lipid results for making therapy adjustments during the face-to-face visit.
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