FATS1 - The Audit
The current management of cholesterol was re-examined at the end of December 1999. There are 284 patients with ischaemic heart disease (heart attack and angina), 5% of the practice population.
The practice has targeted those aged 70 years and under for cholesterol treatment because treatment takes a number of years to be effective. There were 128 patients with ischaemic heart disease aged 70 or under.
Of these 128, there were only 6 with no cholesterol measurement. Two of these had other serious illnesses and one had failed to respond to all contacts previously. This leaves only 3 who need their cholesterol measured. A note has been made in the medical record of each so that this can be followed up.
There are 122 cholesterol readings in patients aged 70 or under. Of these 41 (34%) are over the target of 5.5 mmol/l. These patients have been identified for further action.
These results are compared with the findings in March 1999 below:-
| Patient Group | 3.99 (N=274) | 12.99 (N=284) |
| Cholesterol measured | 149 (54%) | 181 (64%) |
| aged 70 or less | 127 (46%) | 128 (45%) |
| on lipid reducing drugs | 61 (22%) | 88 (31%) |
| no chol value aged 70 or less | 27 | 6 |
| triglycerides recorded | 2 | 84 (30%) |
| chol >5.5 aged 70 or less | 55 | 41 |