Electronic Health Record Augmented LDL-Cholesterol Optimization and Control Via Active Lipid Engagement (EHR-LOCALE): A Quality Improvement Implementation Study

Overview

The purpose of this study is to determine whether a proactive, EHR-guided approach helps more individuals reach safe cholesterol levels, improves medication use, and reduces future heart attacks and strokes, compared to usual care. The main question it aims to answer is: • Does the EHR-LOCALE pathway increases the proportion of patients who reach the LDL-cholesterol target of \<1.8 mmol/L at 6 months? Participants in the interventional group receive: * Pharmacist contact * Repeat lipid requisitions * Review of medications, adherence, and side effects * Treatment escalation according to national dyslipidemia guidelines

After a heart event, such as a heart attack, many people never reach the cholesterol levels needed to lower their risk of experiencing another heart event even with good care. This research study is evaluating a new way to better support patients in reaching those targets. The EHR-LOCALE study uses Alberta's electronic health record (EHR) to automatically identify these individuals and offer them extra support. Those who are not at their cholesterol target are contacted by a pharmacist, who can order blood tests, review medications, and adjust treatment according to national guidelines. This project tests whether this proactive, EHR-guided approach helps more patients reach safe cholesterol levels, improves medication use, and reduces future heart attacks and strokes, compared to usual care. Ultimately, it aims to make cholesterol management after a heart event more consistent, equitable, and effective.

Conditions