Trends in high intensity statin use among secondary prevention patients 76 years and older.

Background: High intensity statin therapy (HIST) is the gold standard therapy for decreasing the risk of recurrent atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD); however, little is known about the use of HIST in older adults with ASCVD.

Objectives: The aim of this cross-sequential study was to determine trends in statin intensity in older adults over a 10-year timeframe.

Methods: The study was conducted in an integrated healthcare delivery system.

Clinical Pharmacist Patient-Safety Initiative to Reduce Against-Label Prescribing of Statins With Cyclosporine.

Background: Against-label prescribing of statins with interacting drugs, such as cyclosporine, represents an important patient safety concern.

Objective: To implement and evaluate the effectiveness of a clinical pharmacist patient-safety initiative to minimize against-label prescribing of statins with cyclosporine.

Methods: Kaiser Permanente Colorado clinical pharmacists identified patients receiving both cyclosporine and against-label statin through prescription claims data.

Positive predictive values of ICD-9 codes to identify patients with stroke or TIA.

Objectives: To determine the positive predictive values of inpatient and outpatient ICD-9 codes and status code V12.54 for identifying confirmed history of stroke or transient ischemic attack (cerebral event) among patients within a managed care organization.

Study Design: Retrospective, cohort study.

Ambulatory treatment gaps in patients with ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack.

Background: This study evaluated goal attainment for patients with a history of non-cardioembolic ischemic stroke (NCIS) or transient ischemic attack (TIA).

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in patients aged 18 to 85 years with a history of validated NCIS or TIA. Data collected were demographics, comorbidities, blood pressure (BP), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) values, and medications within 365 days and most proximal to December 31, 2010.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor therapy for coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus.

Objectives: To use a population management strategy to increase the proportion of patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and diabetes receiving target-dose angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor therapy and to assess the safety and tolerability of this initiative.

Study Design: Prospective cohort.

Methods: Patients were eligible for enrollment if they were not receiving target-dose ACE inhibitor therapy.

Assessment of patient satisfaction with telephone and mail interventions provided by a clinical pharmacy cardiac risk reduction service.

Objective: Kaiser Permanente of Colorado developed a population-based program, the Clinical Pharmacy Cardiac Risk Service (CPCRS), to help close the treatment gap for patients with coronary artery disease. CPCRS provides much of its care via telephone. The purpose of this study was to determine the level of satisfaction among patients in this unique service.

The state of clinical pharmacy practice in family practice residency programs.

Background: Clinical pharmacists have been involved with family practice residencies for more than 20 years. This survey was designed to evaluate the current state of clinical pharmacy services in the family practice residency program (FPRP) in the United States.

Methods: All FPRPs were contacted to identify clinical pharmacists involved with their programs.