Kaiser Permanente has reduced death from heart disease so significantly that it is no longer the leading cause of death among their 3 million members. In fact, death from heart disease is 30% lower in their Kaiser Permanente Northern California (KPNC) population than in the non-KPNC population in California. Clinical practice guidelines have been at the heart of KPNC’s ongoing efforts to improve cardiovascular care, but since even the very best guidelines have no impact if they are not implemented effectively, KPNC initiated a process to integrate guideline use into the care and treatment of patients with cardiovascular conditions. The program includes resource to help patients improve their heart healthy lifestyle, community programs, and tools to help clinicians educate patients, meet guidelines, and develop care paths for patients.

To reduce death from heart disease among their members in Northern California.

Adjusting for age and gender, death from heart disease is more than 30% lower in the KPNC population than in the non-KPNC population in California. The mortality rate from heart attacks at KPNC hospitals are up to 50% lower than at similar hospitals across the state.