Ardens has created a template to support healthcare staff in recording data in relation to lipid levels in blood, in particular those levels which, if left unchecked, can lead to a variety of cardiovascular diseases including heart disease, stroke, transient ischaemic attack, and peripheral arterial disease.
This template can help to record the necessary details for starting a patient on statin treatment, following a blood profile. It can also assist in recording follow up reviews and referrals.
There is a page specific to Familial Hypercholesterolaemia, which supports data entry in relation to the Investment and Impact Fund CVD-04 indicator.
Access the template in one of the following ways:
- Click on the Run Template option within the consultation.
- Click on the Add > Data using Template option outside of a consultation.
Clicking on either of the options above will display the Template Picker screen.
Search for the 'Hyperlipidaemia’ template using the search box provided or via the navigation pane. Select the template and click on OK.
The template has been broken down by pages on the left-hand side. Navigate to the page required.
The Condition page sets out the cardiovascular diseases (CVD) that can be caused by atherosclerosis, or the build-up of fatty deposits in arteries. It also explains how the risk of CVD can be reduced by various measures, including statin therapy, as well as explaining the term ‘familial hypercholesterolaemia’ and giving the opportunity to record any secondary causes of hyperlipidaemia, such as Diabetes.
The Quick start statin page allows for the recording of basic information, including baseline examination details and blood tests required, as well as whether the statin therapy is needed for primary or for secondary prevention. A cardiovascular risk assessment score can be recorded using a QRisk2 or QRisk3 online calculator.
The History page helps to ascertain which group the patient falls into, i.e., whether their treatment should be for primary prevention, secondary prevention or familial hypercholesterolaemia.
There are pages for data entry relating to Lifestyle and Examination, where general information can be recorded in relation to smoking, alcohol, blood pressure, height and weight etc.
The Investigations page lists the blood tests required prior to an initiation of statin therapy.
The Management page sets out the NICE recommendations in relation to statin prescribing and allows the user to record the initiation or decline of a statin, or other reason that it was not initiated. There are also options to record that lifestyle modifications in relation to lowering cholesterol have been discussed with the patient.
The Follow up page allows the user to record that a 3-month follow-up or 12 month/annual review has taken place and relevant details recorded. There are links to a variety of NICE guidance articles about lipid-lowering medications.
The Referrals page gives some points to consider prior to referral to a lipid clinic, as well as recording that a referral has been made, and to which service.
The Familial hypercholesterolaemia page supports the practice in addressing the IIF (Investment and Impact Fund) CVD-04 indicator, which aims to identify patients at high risk of Familial Hypercholesterolaemia and ensure that referrals for further assessment are made.
Further information relating to the IIF CVD indicators can be found here, including the Ardens searches, and alerts for CVD-03, 04 and 06.
A number of helpful leaflets and resources, both for the patient and for the healthcare professional, can be found on the Resources page.
Complete the template using the required fields and ensure you save the information, using the Save option.
If using the template via the Run Template option within an open consultation, you will also need to click Save to save the consultation.
If you require any further assistance on the process above, please contact Ardens support on: support-emis@ardens.org.uk