A pilot program using several clinical decision-support tools in the outpatient setting to treat stable ischemic heart disease patients can improve angina — a condition marked by severe chest pain, according to study findings cited by the American College of Cardiology.
The findings stem from the Florida Cardiovascular Quality Network study and were presented Feb. 14 at the college's cardiovascular summit.
The researchers used data from the Florida Cardiovascular Quality Network and analyzed 254 patients with angina symptoms who presented for clinical evaluation. There were 188 patients in group A (without pre-existing stable ischemic heart disease ), and 66 patients in group B (with pre-existing disease).
Three apps were used in the study: a clinical decision-support app for imaging appropriate use criteria documentation; a questionnaire app to determine symptom severity and quality of life; and an app for patient education.
The apps were provided to care teams in tablet format. Each patient's data was securely entered. The data output from each app was available and shared as routine clinical information available for each patient. The researchers repeated this protocol at each patient visit: baseline, three months, six months and 12 months.
The researchers found the apps successfully helped ensure appropriate use of imaging; measure angina frequency, severity and quality of life; and educate patients about the importance of mitigating risk.
"Clinical decision-support tools [apps] help effectively translate guidelines into a format that assists the provider with the integration of guideline-based diagnostic and treatment recommendations into clinical practice," said A. Allen Seals, MD, lead study author.
"Importantly, the utilization of multiple apps proved to be clinically feasible and did not overly impair efficiency of the team-based providers. In a team-based environment, patients should welcome the utilization of apps at the point of care and have confidence that these apps will have excellent value to their provider to improve the quality of cardiovascular care."