Implementation of an automated guideline monitor for secondary prevention of acute myocardial infarction.

Clinical practice guidelines can be used to help improve health care quality, but they are often not optimally implemented. Practice enabling and reinforcing techniques, such as clinical reminders and academic detailing are effective methods for translating guidelines into practice. Following a study showing that we could improve adherence to secondary prevention guidelines for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) using computerized alerts and academic detailing, we implemented an automated monitor to accomplish the same goal in a less labor-intensive manner. This paper describes the implementation of this production application.