Abstract
Introduction
According to NICE Guidelines, the Best medical therapy (BMT) for secondary prevention of peripheral arterial disease includes antiplatelet and statin therapy unless contraindicated. Junior Doctors are usually allocated the job of prescribing patients’ medications. Due to discrepancies in their exposure to vascular surgery in earlier training, we implemented an introductory teaching session for them regarding this BMT and audited the efficacy of this intervention.
Method
A retrospective review of admission and discharge medications of all vascular ward patients from August 12th to 30th September 2019 was done, and the data was analysed via Excel.
Results
Out of 127 patients (median age 70), 67% and 64% had antiplatelet and statin medications respectively,while on admission. 1 in each patient cohort was found discharged without either medication.
The GP of the patient discharged without antiplatelets was contacted to ensure this was rectified. The other patient had refused statin therapy and thus a discharge note to their GP was conducted to reflect this.
Conclusions
A teaching session as part of a vascular departmental induction emphasising the evidence base for antiplatelet and statin therapy can contribute to improving prescription practices of junior doctors starting in the department.
Initiation of statin therapy halts progression of atherosclerotic plaque burden in peripheral arterial disease
