Ischemic heart disease is a major health problem in the United States where secondary prevention therapies have been demonstrated to improve morbidity and mortality. Multiple guidelines have been published which recommend cholesterol lowering for patients with ischemic heart disease. Despite these recommendations, wide variations exist in the achievement of these target LDL levels. The purpose of the current project is to identify patient characteristics, processes of care and structures of care that are associated with these variations in compliance of target LDL levels. A cross-sectional study design will be used. Information will be gathered from secondary data sources, using the Veterans Health Administration databases and through primary data collection, by surveying care providers. Thirty clinics or facilities and approximately 10, 000 patients will be included in the sample. Once identified, these factors can serve as the focus for future quality improvement projects to increase the proportion of ischemic heart disease patients who achieve a target LDL-cholesterol level of less than or equal to 100 mg/dl as proposed in the Healthy People objectives.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Type
Postdoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F32)
Project #
5F32HL069596-02
Application #
6622309
Study Section
Epidemiology and Disease Control Subcommittee 2 (EDC)
Program Officer
Einhorn, Paula
Project Start
2002-04-01
Project End
2003-08-31
Budget Start
2003-04-01
Budget End
2003-08-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2003
Total Cost
$22,085
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Colorado Denver
Department
Internal Medicine/Medicine
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
041096314
City
Aurora
State
CO
Country
United States
Zip Code
80045
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