Angina pectoris, a manifestation of CHD, accounted for 13,586 Medicare discharges in 1993 in Texas. A pilot project showed aspirin prophylaxis that reduces cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in individuals with acute angina is underused. Texas Medical Foundation collaborated with 10 acute-care facilities to improve aspirin prophylaxis. Collaborators assessed processes of care and implemented clinical pathways to improve aspirin administration. Data were abstracted from medical records before and after pathway implementation to evaluate impact.
Data suggest room for further improvement.
A Descriptive Study Yolanda Reyes-Iglesias, Rafael Melendez, Edgardo Hernandez, and Manuel Perez Background. Differences in risk factor prevalence and distribution of atherosclerotic cerebrovascular disease have been reported among different racial-ethnic groups. Identification of stroke syndromes and risk factors specific to the Puerto Rican male population should lead to more effective diagnosis, treatment, and prevention programs. We prospectively and consecutively evaluated 118 Hispanic male veterans admitted to our Stroke Unit from June 1994 to September 1995. Hypertension was the most common risk factor.