AHRQ regional cooperatives to promote heart healthy primary care

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality yesterday awarded $112 million to create seven regional cooperatives to help up to 300 small primary care practices improve heart health for patients. The EvidenceNOW initiative will help the practices incorporate key evidence-based interventions to reduce cardiovascular risks: aspirin use by high-risk individuals, blood pressure control, cholesterol management and smoking cessation. Services will include onsite coaching, consultation from experts, sharing best practices and electronic health record support. An eighth awardee will evaluate the impact of the interventions on practice improvement and the delivery of cardiovascular care. The initiative is supported by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Trust Fund.