The HCA national disease management program for coronary disease detection and treatment in women

The diagnosis and treatment of heart disease in women continues to be one of the greatest challenges facing cardiovascular medicine today. Marked reductions in mortality rates during the past 2 decades did not result in improved outcomes for women. A major rate-limiting step to improving mortality rates for women is early diagnosis and intiation of effective lifesaving therapies for women. In 1999, HCA Healthcare Systems, Inc, Nashville, TN, initiated a coordinated effort among 208 hospitals in 26 states to improve the diagnosis of coronary disease and to target women who should receive aggressive risk factor modification and referral to cardiologists. We describe the intial phases of program development, including employee risk factor screening; citywide health risk assessment; nationwide educational programs for clinicians, staff, and consumers; and a dedicated outcomes assessment program for tracking women at risk for coronary disease. We believe that these effort provide a venue for optimal care and improved outcomes for women served by HCA facilities.