What components of chronic care organisation relate to better primary care for coronary heart disease patients? An observational study.

Contains fulltext : 110205.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access)OBJECTIVES: Cardiovascular risk management (CVRM) received by patients shows large variation across countries. In this study we explored the aspects of primary care organisation associated with key components of CVRM in coronary heart disease (CHD) patients. DESIGN: Observational study. SETTING: 273 primary care practices in Austria, Belgium, England, Finland, France, Germany, The Netherlands, Slovenia, Switzerland and Spain. PARTICIPANTS: A random sample of 4563 CHD patients identified by coded diagnoses in eight countries, based on prescription lists and while visiting the practice in one country each. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: We performed an audit in primary care practices in 10 European countries. We used six indicators to measure key components of CVRM: risk factor recording, antiplatelet therapy, influenza vaccination, blood pressure levels (systolic <140 and diastolic <90 mm Hg), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol <2.5 mmol/l. Data from structured questionnaires were used to construct an overall measure and six domain measures of practice organisation based on 39 items. Using multilevel regression analyses we explored the effects of practice organisation on CVRM, controlling for patient characteristics. RESULTS: Better overall organisation of a primary care practice was associated with higher scores on three indicators: risk factor registration (B=0.0307, p<0.0001), antiplatelet therapy (OR 1.05, p=0.0245) and influenza vaccination (OR 1.12, p<0.0001). Overall practice organisation was not found to be related with recorded blood pressure or cholesterol levels. Only the organisational domains 'self-management support' and 'use of clinical information systems' were linked to three CVRM indicators. CONCLUSIONS: A better organisation of a primary care practice was associated with better scores on process indicators of CVRM in CHD patients, but not on intermediate patient outcome measures. Direct support for patients and clinicians seemed most influential

Quality indicators for patient safety in primary care. A review and Delphi-survey by the LINNEAUS collaboration on patient safety in primary care

Contains fulltext : 153776.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access)BACKGROUND: Quality indicators are measured aspects of healthcare, reflecting the performance of a healthcare provider or healthcare system. They have a crucial role in programmes to assess and improve healthcare. Many performance measures for primary care have been developed. Only the Catalan model for patient safety in primary care identifies key domains of patient safety in primary care. OBJECTIVE: To present an international framework for patient safety indicators in primary care. METHODS: Literature review and online Delphi-survey, starting from the Catalan model. Results : A set of 30 topics is presented, identified by an international panel and organized according to the Catalan model for patient safety in primary care. Most topic areas referred to specific clinical processes; additional topics were leadership, people management, partnership and resources. CONCLUSION: The framework can be used to organize indicator development and guide further work in the field

Prescription in patients with chronic heart failure and multimorbidity attended in primary care

Item does not contain fulltextBACKGROUND: Multimorbidity and polypharmacy pose challenges to improving the quality of care. OBJECTIVES: To determine the association between prescription of recommended treatment in ambulatory patients with chronic heart failure and multiple comorbidities and hospitalisation events. DESIGN: A population-based retrospective cohort study in Catalonia (north-east Spain). PARTICIPANTS: We included 7173 newly registered patients with chronic heart failure (59% women; mean [SD] age 76.3 [10.7] years). Patients were selected from the electronic patient records of primary care practices and followed for three years. OUTCOME MEASURES: Prescription of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs), angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) and beta-blockers (BBs). RESULTS: Prescription of ACEI/ARBs in patients managed in primary care without a hospitalisation event during the follow-up rose from 50.8 to 83.5% for 0 and >/=4 comorbidities, respectively, and for ACEI/ARBs and BB from 13.1 to 30.6% for 0 and >/=4 comorbidities respectively. Patients with a hospitalisation event were treated more often (ACEI/ARBs or 1.47 [1.17 to 1.85]; ACEI/ARBs and BB or 1.41 [1.17 to 1.69]). Comorbid conditions receiving more treatment were hypertension (ACEI/ARBs or 3.75 [3.33 to 4.22]; ACEI/ARBs and BB or 1.40 [1.23 to 1.59]), diabetes mellitus (ACEI/ARBs or 1.79 [1.57 to 2.04]; ACEI/ARBs and BB or 1.33 [1.18 to 1.49]) and ischaemic heart disease (ACEI/ARBs or 1.25 [1.10 to 1.42]; ACEI/ARBs and BB or 3.01 [2.68 to 3.38]). CONCLUSION: Prescription of recommended treatment in patients with chronic heart failure increased as the number of comorbidities increased. Family physicians can provide equivalent care to more complex patients and those less complex, according to the number of comorbidities

Community programmes for coronary heart disease in Spanish primary care

OBJECTIVE: To explore the added value of community-orientated programmes aimed at enhancing healthy lifestyles associated with the key components of cardiovascular risk management (CVRM) in coronary heart disease (CHD) patients. METHODS: Observational study in Spain, including 36 practices, 36 health professionals, and 722 CHD patients (mean (SD) age 72 (11.73)). Our predictor variable of interest was reported deliveries from primary care practices (PCPs) concerning community-orientated programmes such as physical exercise and smoking cessation groups. Data were obtained through structured questionnaires administered to PCP health professionals. Our CVRM outcome measures were as follows: recorded risk factors, drug prescriptions, and intermediate patient outcomes (blood pressure levels, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and body mass index). RESULTS: Thirty practices delivered community programmes: most delivered one [17 (47.2%) practices] or two [11 (30.5%) practices]. These educational programmes aimed to encourage enhanced healthy lifestyles through group counselling sessions, mailed print material, and one-to-one counselling. In PCPs delivering community programmes, more patients received antihypertensives (89.7%), antiplatelet therapy (80.5%), and statins (70.8%) than those PCPs without programmes, although there were no statistically significant differences between them. CONCLUSIONS: No evidence was found for the added value of community-orientated CVRM programmes that could help health professionals refine criteria when including CHD patients in preventive programmes. Copyright (c) 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd

Survival in Mediterranean Ambulatory Patients With Chronic Heart Failure. A Population-based Study

Contains fulltext : 127330.pdf (publisher's version ) (Closed access)INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Scarce research has been performed in ambulatory patients with chronic heart failure in the Mediterranean area. Our aim was to describe survival trends in our target population and the impact of prognostic factors. METHODS: We carried out a population-based retrospective cohort study in Catalonia (north-east Spain) of 5659 ambulatory patients (60% women; mean age 77 [10] years) with incident chronic heart failure. Eligible patients were selected from the electronic patient records of primary care practices from 2005 and were followed-up until 2007. RESULTS: During the follow-up period deaths occurred in 950 patients (16.8%). Survival after the onset of chronic heart failure at 1, 2, and 3 years was 90%, 80%, 69%, respectively. No significant differences in survival were found between men and women (P=.13). Cox proportional hazard modelling confirmed an increased risk of death with older age (hazard ratio=1.06; 95% confidence interval, 1.06-1.07), diabetes mellitus (hazard ratio=1.53; 95% confidence interval, 1.33-1.76), chronic kidney disease (hazard ratio=1.73; 95% confidence interval, 1.45-2.05), and ischemic heart disease (hazard ratio=1.18; 95% confidence interval, 1.02-1.36). Hypertension (hazard ratio=0,73; 95% confidence interval, 0,64-0,84) had a protective effect. CONCLUSIONS: Service planning and prevention programs should take into consideration the relatively high survival rates found in our area and the effect of prognostic factors that can help to identify high risk patients. Full English text available from:www.revespcardiol.org/en

Trends and predictors of hospitalization, readmissions and length of stay in ambulatory patients with heart failure

OBJECTIVES: Little is known on predictors of hospitalisation in ambulatory patients with chronic heart failure, and known predictors may not apply to Mediterranean countries. Our aim was to document longitudinal trends in hospitalisations and identify patient-related predictors of hospital admission, re-admission and length of stay in the targeted population. METHODS: Population-based retrospective cohort study in Catalonia (North-East Spain), including 7196 ambulatory patients (58.6% women; mean age 76 years). Eligible patients were selected from the electronic patient records of primary care practices, and followed for 3 years. RESULTS: At 3 years of follow up overall 645 (9.0%) patients had cardiovascular hospitalisation, 37% were readmitted, and median length of stay was 9 (interquartile range 5-17) days. Chronic kidney disease [odds ratio (OR)=1.98 (1.62-2.43)], IHD [OR=1.72 (1.45-2.04)], DM [OR=1.50 (1.27-1.78)] and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [OR=1.43 (1.16-1.77)] increased the risk for hospitalisation. DM [OR=1.70 (1.22-2.38)], IHD [OR=1.85 (1.33-2.58)] and HTA [OR=1.66 (1.11-2.46)] increased the risk for readmissions. Chronic kidney disease [OR of 2.21 (1.70-2.90)], IHD [OR of 2.19 (1.73-2.77)], DM [OR=1.70 (1.34-2.15)], HTA [OR=1.51 (1.13-2.01)], chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [OR=1.37 (1.02-1.83)] increased the risk for long length of stay in hospital. CONCLUSIONS: Our study identified predictors of hospitalisation, readmissions and long length of stay which can help clinicians and managers to identify high risk patients which should be targeted on service planning and when designing preventive actions