Ohio is in the top quartile of states for high cardiovascular disease (CVD) event rates and has a high adult prevalence of two key modifiable CVD risk factors: hypertension and smoking. Improving blood pressure control and smoking cessation should strongly improve CVD events across Ohio and in your practice.
To better understand the aims and benefits of the new statewide Heart Healthy Ohio quality improvement (QI) program, an informational video is now available for viewing. Listen to Shari Bolen, MD, MPH, and Randy Wexler, MD, FAAFP, share insights on how your practice team can participate in this innovative quality initiative and begin to recognize cardiovascular health improvements while reducing disparities in CVD using a unique co-design approach.
Heart Healthy Ohio Program Background
Family physicians have a new opportunity to take part in a statewide QI initiative centered on improving blood pressure control, smoking rates, and disparity reduction in practice. Participating practices will receive valuable continuing medical education credit, American Board of Family Medicine Performance Improvement in Practice credit, and up to $4,000. The projects begins in January 2022, but practice recruitment starts now!
Sixty (60) primary care practices will participate in a kick off followed by quarterly webinars and monthly practice coaching for one (1) year to implement evidence-based strategies to improve and reduce disparities in the ABCS (Aspirin when indicated, blood pressure, cholesterol management, and smoking) with a primary focus on blood pressure and smoking.
The initiative, Heart Healthy Ohio Quality Improvement Project (QIP), is funded by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality and led by several of the medical schools and the three Regional Health Collaboratives across the state. This QI initiative is partnering with the Ohio Cardiovascular and Diabetes Health Collaborative (Cardi-OH) and the Ohio Academy of Family Physicians.
Please view the flyer for more details on how you can get involved. Enrollment is limited. Please contact project lead Cathy Sullivan by Wednesday, June 30, for more information or if you are interested in participating.