Effectiveness of the electronic medical record in cholesterol management in patients with coronary artery disease (Virtual Lipid Clinic).

This study demonstrates that the Virtual Lipid Clinic, an electronic medical record with computer-assisted cholesterol management, is associated with improved lipid management in patients with coronary artery disease. In comparison to traditional documentation methods with "pen and paper" charts, outpatient visits utilizing the electronic medical record were associated with a twofold increase in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) documentation, a threefold increase in achieving LDL goal, and a 30% increase in the use of lipid-lowering drugs.