Objectives-Evaluation of the effect of a quality improvement programme on c
ardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factor recording and risk factor levels in
a controlled study at two primary health care centres serving 26 000 inhab
itants in Northern Helsinki.
Methods-From a random sample of patient records from 1995 (n = 1066), 1996
(n = 1042), and 1997 (n = 1040) the frequency of CVD risk factor recording
was measured and the changes in mean levels of total cholesterol, blood glu
cose, blood pressure, and body weight were monitored during the follow up p
eriod. The intervention programme (1995-1996) consisted of lectures and mee
tings of multiprofessional teams, development of local guidelines, and intr
oduction of a structured risk factor recording sheet as part of the patient
records.
Results-After the quality improvement period all risk factors were better r
ecorded at the intervention station than at the control station (p < 0.001)
. More high risk CVD patients were detected from the general population at
the intervention station. The mean values of most measured risk factors cha
nged during the intervention. During the follow up period differences were
observed between the two health stations in the time trends for body weight
, body mass index (BMI), total cholesterol, and glucose levels. Risk factor
levels of high risk patients receiving CVD treatment decreased during the
intervention.
Conclusions-A simple quality improvement programme improved the practice of
recording risk factors for CVD which resulted in earlier detection of pati
ents with a high risk of developing the disease.