The report highlights the significance of managing cardiovascular disease (CVD) effectively as part of health plans’ efforts to improve patient care. Payers are now focusing on controlling high blood pressure, which is tied to Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS) scores that measure the quality of care provided by Medicare plans. This emphasis on CVD is crucial for identifying and managing risks associated with comorbidities such as tobacco use and unhealthy diets that can lead to conditions like hypertension and diabetes, major contributors to CVD.
To improve patient outcomes, healthcare providers need timely diagnosis and management of diabetes, which is often not identified until after a cardiac event. Providing updated clinical content at the point of care helps healthcare providers stay focused on the patient and reduces the time spent searching for answers. Offering consistent care and clinical information resources throughout the healthcare system can also help in adopting a system-wide approach to managing CVD and improving patient outcomes.
Healthcare leaders can transform care by involving patients as part of their care team and promoting shared decision-making. Impactful patient education is especially important for diverse demographics, delivering holistic education that is engaging and evidence-based can lead to better outcomes for patients. UpToDate® Point of Care report series provides valuable insights for healthcare professionals across various disciplines, including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and other clinicians, to enhance patient care and achieve better outcomes by supporting clinical decisions with current evidence.
In conclusion, managing CVD effectively requires payers to focus on controlling high blood pressure while providing consistent care throughout the healthcare system. Healthcare providers must provide timely diagnosis and management of diabetes while involving patients in shared decision-making through impactful education that delivers holistic knowledge based on current evidence. By doing so, we can optimize costs while ensuring patient safety and improving overall health outcomes.