Improving 10-year atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease estimation management using a Smartphrase for automated risk screening.

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the most common cause of death in the United States, and 90% of cardiovascular events are preventable. The 2020 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Guidelines on the Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease recommends 10-year atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk estimates for 40- to 75-year-old adults with CVD risk indications to decrease the likelihood of cardiovascular events.

Local problem: At the project site, the 10-year ASCVD risk estimates were rarely completed by providers. The purpose of this project was to increase 10-year ASCVD risk estimation screening and improve pharmacological therapy for 40- to 75-year-old patients with CVD risk indications.

Methods: To increase 10-year ASCVD risk estimation screening and improve pharmacological therapy, a multifaceted bundle was created for providers.

Interventions: Three interventions were initiated: an electronic health record Smartphrase was created to produce automatic 10-year risk scores; laminated paper reminders for the Smartphrase were visible on providers' desks; educational in-services were performed to promote risk score adherence.

Results: The project aims were achieved with an increase from a 14% completion rate for 10-year ASCVD risk estimation during the preintervention phase to a 98% completion rate at the end of the postintervention phase. Appropriate pharmacological therapy improved from a 64% rate during the preintervention phase to a maximum rate of 79% during postintervention.

Conclusion: The project was effective at increasing risk estimate completion and improving appropriate pharmacological therapy. There was an increase in provider-patient discussions toward primary prevention for cardiovascular events.