Stepwise implementation of a cardiovascular risk management care program in primary care

Background Primary care plays a pivotal role in sustainable cardiovascular risk management (CVRM) but little is known about the organizational process of implementing the guidelines. The aim of the study was to describe the approach taken by a primary care group to implement the CVRM guideline. Methods Stepwise introduction and implementation of a programmatic CVRM care program was organized and facilitated by the care group between April 2010 and January 2013 in 137 affiliated general practices with 188 general practitioners (GPs), in the vicinity of Eindhoven, Netherlands. Care group support comprised sufficient staff, support with data extraction based on ICPC and ATC codes and with identification of eligible patients by scrutinizing patient health records and adequate coding of disease conditions. Results Patient selection based on availability of structured information on ICPC codes and risk factor levels from the electronic health records, led to 38,675 eligible patients in 2013. December 2019, the CVRM program was still running in 151 practices with 51,416 patients receiving programmatic CVRM care. Linking problems between 8 different electronic health record systems and the multidisciplinary information system for integrated care delayed adequate data collection until the beginning of 2013. Conclusion Commitment of affiliated GPs, a structured approach with adequate coding of diagnoses and risk factors, central data registration and additional funding for sufficient staff support are important conditions for the introduction and implementation of successful and sustainable programmatic CVRM care. This approach constitutes the basis for long-term follow up and annual evaluation.