Evaluation of a pharmacist-managed lipid clinic that uses point-of-care lipid testing

Gerrald, Katherine R.; Dixon, Dave L.; Barnette, Debra J.; Williams, Virginia G.

doi:10.1016/j.jacl.2010.02.001

« Previous Next »Journal of Clinical Lipidology
Volume 4, Issue 2 , Pages 120-125, March 2010

Evaluation of a pharmacist-managed lipid clinic that uses point-of-care lipid testing

Katherine R. Gerrald, PharmD
- Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, Medical Center Boulevard, Pharmacy Department, Winston Salem, NC 27157, USA
Dave L. Dixon, PharmD, BCPS, CDE, CPP
- Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, Medical Center Boulevard, Pharmacy Department, Winston Salem, NC 27157, USA
- Campbell University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Buies Creek, NC, USA
- Corresponding author.
Debra J. Barnette, PharmD, BCPS, CDE, CPP
- Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, Medical Center Boulevard, Pharmacy Department, Winston Salem, NC 27157, USA
- Wingate University School of Pharmacy, Wingate, NC, USA
Virginia G. Williams, PharmD, BCPS, CDE, CPP
- Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, Medical Center Boulevard, Pharmacy Department, Winston Salem, NC 27157, USA
- Wingate University School of Pharmacy, Wingate, NC, USA

Received 13 November 2009; accepted 1 February 2010. published online 08 February 2010.

Background

Hyperlipidemia is a significant, modifiable risk factor for developing coronary heart disease. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) goal achievement has improved overall, but many high-risk patients remain above the desired LDL-C goals. Published data have demonstrated the ability of pharmacist-managed lipid clinics to improve lipid management in a variety of clinical settings.

Objective

This observational analysis aimed to report the impact of a newly developed hospital-based, outpatient lipid clinic by the use of point-of-care testing on LDL-C goal attainment.

Methods

A retrospective, observational analysis was conducted from February 2007 to December 2008. The primary outcome measure was the change in the proportion of patients who achieved their LDL-C goal at the end of the observation period compared with baseline.

Results

A total of 81 patients met study inclusion criteria. Mean duration of follow-up was 9.0 ± 4.9 (SD) months. At the end of the observation period, 82.9% of patients achieved their LDL-C goal compared with 55.3% at baseline (P < .0001). The mean LDL-C decreased from 103 ± 45 mg/dL at baseline to 82 ± 28 mg/dL at the end of the observation period (P < .0001).

Conclusion

An outpatient hospital-based, pharmacist-managed lipid clinic improved LDL-C goal attainment. Our results are unique in that pharmacists used point-of-care testing to obtain lipid results for making therapy adjustments during the face-to-face visit.

Keywords: Clinical pharmacy service, Coronary heart disease, Lipid management, Point-of-care testing