Patient-Centered Implementation of Statin Therapy in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes

Heart disease is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in Americans with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The American Diabetes Association recommends statins and lifestyle modifications for all patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus for the prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular events. A patient-centered approach to primary prevention is encouraged, yet there are no specific instructions regarding implementation. The Statin Choice Decision Aid is a tool designed to facilitate shared decision-making between the patient and the provider in the clinical setting. The 2018 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association guidelines for the primary prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus were implemented into practice by prescribing statins and patient education for the appropriate patients. The Statin Choice Decision Aid was integrated into the electronic health record and accessed by the provider during the clinical encounter with the patient to help guide the decision to initiate statin therapy. Results yielded an impressive 82% increase in the provider’s statin prescribing practice. In addition, more than half (75%) of those patients had their individual atherosclerotic cardiovascular risk score computed and documented in the electronic health record. The Doctor of Nursing Practice quality improvement project helped to achieve optimal and patient-centered approach to successfully adhering to the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association guidelines