Guideline formats, dissemination and implementation

The CPG consists of two versions, the complete version and the summarised version, as well as the section containing information for patients. All versions are available in HTML format and PDF format at the GuiaSalud (HealthGuide) website (www.guiasalud.es). The summarised version is printed in paper and contains the CD-ROM with the complete version.

Dissemination and implementation strategies are as follows:

1. Official presentation of the guideline by the health care authorities.
2. Individualised delivery of copies to professionals and potential users.
3. Distribution of the guideline amongst patients.
4. Dissemination of the guideline in electronic format in the websites of the health services and societies involved in the project.
5. Presentation of the guideline in scientific activities (conferences, congresses, meetings).
6. Publication of the guideline in medical journals.

Proposed indicators

Below is a list and description of the indicators proposed by the authors of this guideline. Their objective has not been to design a comprehensive and detailed assessment that entails the use of all proposed indicators. Those in charge of evaluating the impact of the CPG and the health care of patients should choose the most appropriate information sources and the most convenient timeframe that each indicator refers to.

Primary prevention of stroke

1. Proportion of patients over the age of 40 in whom vascular risk has been assessed and recorded in the medical chart for the five previous years.
2. Proportion of patients over the age of 40 in whom blood pressure values were determined and recorded in the medical chart for the two previous years
3. Proportion of patients over the age of 45 in whom blood cholesterol values have been determined and recorded in the medical chart for the five previous years.
4. Proportion of adult patients whose body weight has been determined and recorded in the medical chart for the five previous years.
5. Proportion of patients who are smokers who are provided with counselling to quit smoking.
6. Proportion of patients with high vascular risk who are prescribed treatment with statins as a vascular risk prevention strategy.

Secondary prevention of stroke

1. Proportion of patients who have had an ischemic stroke or a TIA who receive antiaggregant treatment.
2. Proportion of patients who have had an ischemic stroke or atherothrombotic TIA who receive statin treatment.
3. Proportion of patients with atrial fibrillation and who have had an ischemic stroke or TIA who receive anticoagulant treatment.
4. Proportion of patients who are smokers who have had an ischemic stroke or TIA and have quit smoking.
5. Proportion of patients who have had an ischemic stroke or TIA who undergo a carotid artery imaging study.

Other shared indicators of vascular disease proposed by the National Health System (Quality Plan) are presented in Annex 8.