Increasing use of SGLT-2 inhibitors among patients with heart failure

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this quality improvement project was to identify and address barriers contributing to the underutilization of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors in eligible patients with heart failure across the health system. METHODS: The heart failure registry was used to identify the prescription percentage of SGLT-2 inhibitors pre- and postintervention. Interventions to increase prescribing included pharmacist education to primary care providers and use of a cost information handout. RESULTS: Following the intervention, SGLT-2 inhibitor prescription for eligible patients improved from 7.1% (n = 630) to 9.0% (n = 814), representing a relative increase of 26.8% from baseline. CONCLUSION: A multimodal approach involving pharmacy and primary care effectively increased SGLT-2 inhibitor prescribing in patients with heart failure. Physician associates, a key part of the primary care workforce, play an important role initiating guideline-directed medical therapy.