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EMR reminder did not improve cardiovascular disease risk screening among patients with RA
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Implementation of an electronic medical record reminder did not improve the rate for cardiovascular risk screening among patients with rheumatoid arthritis, according to recently published data.
“We implemented an EMR-based reminder and decision support tool to improve cardiovascular screening in patients with rheumatoid arthritis,” Ayobami T. Akenroye, MD, MPH, at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, told Healio Rheumatology. “This was, however, not effective in improving screening rates.”
In December 2013, Akenroye and colleagues implemented the EMR reminder, which included the most recent value and target ranges for BMI, blood pressure (BP) and lipid profiles. The reminder was displayed for every rheumatologist and primary care visit for all patients with RA. Researchers compared lipid screening rates, changes in BP and obesity rates pre- (n = 138) and post-implementation (n = 112). They assessed factors associated with post-implementation lipid screening with logistic regression.
Akenroye and colleagues found lipid screening rates were 50% pre-implementation and 46% post-implementation. In post-implementation, there were no significant improvements in BP or obesity rates. Further, researchers found older age and history of diabetes were associated with an increased rate of lipid screening.
“To reduce cardiovascular mortality in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, providers and patients have to be educated on the cardiovascular risks associated with rheumatoid arthritis, and future research to identify and address barriers to cardiovascular screening are needed,” Akenroye said. – by Will Offit
Disclosures: Researchers report support by the Pfizer educational grant to the Montefiore CME to Improve cardiovascular risk screening in RA.
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