A physician targeted intervention improves prescribing in chronic heart failure in general medical units

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Chua, CC; Hutchinson, A; Tacey, M; Parikh, S; Lim, WK; Aboltins, CDate
2018-03-23Source Title
BMC Health Services ResearchPublisher
BIOMED CENTRAL LTDAffiliation
Medicine and RadiologyMelbourne School of Population and Global Health
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Journal ArticleCitations
Chua, C. C., Hutchinson, A., Tacey, M., Parikh, S., Lim, W. K. & Aboltins, C. (2018). A physician targeted intervention improves prescribing in chronic heart failure in general medical units. BMC HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH, 18 (1), https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-018-3009-x.Access Status
Open AccessAbstract
BACKGROUND: Despite strong evidence for beta-blockers and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB) in chronic heart failure (CHF), they have been under-utilised especially in general medical units. We aim to evaluate the effectiveness and feasibility of a physician-targeted quality improvement intervention with education and feedback on the prescription of beta-blockers and ACEI/ARB for CHF management in an inpatient setting. METHODS: We conducted an interrupted time series study between January 2009 and February 2012. A two-stage intervention was implemented. Between November 2009 and January 2011, a structured physician-oriented education program was undertaken. From February 2011, quarterly performance feedback was provided to each medical unit by a senior clinician. Medical notes of patients admitted with CHF under general medical units before and during the intervention were prospectively audited. Main outcomes were beta-blockers and ACEI/ARB prescription rates, and 180-day readmission rates for CHF. RESULTS: Four hundred and sixty-eight patients were included in this study. Structured education program was associated with a significant rise in beta-blockers prescription rates from a baseline of 60 to 92% (p = 0.003), but a non-sustained rise in ACEI/ARB prescription. Regular performance feedback resulted in a further sustained increase in ACEI/ARB prescription rates from 62 to 93% (p = 0.028) and a positive trend for beta-blockers with rates maintained at 89%. There was a reduction in 180-day readmission rates that correlated with the improvements in beta-blocker (p = 0.030) and ACEI/ARB (p = 0.035) prescription. CONCLUSION: Implementation of a structured education program with regular performance feedback was durable and was associated with improvements in appropriate prescribing and an observed decrease in CHF-related readmissions.
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