Project Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI) is an evidence-based health system point of care change project. The purpose was to pilot a program providing primary care team education to enable peripheral arterial disease (PAD) clinical practice guideline (CPG) implementation as a route to improve chronic disease management and self-care. The question was whether provision of this program will facilitate PAD CPG implementation within the primary care setting evidenced by comparison of pre and post PAD/ABI workshop knowledge base along with ABI measurements completed in the primary care setting. The shift in funding and health care focus on chronic disease prevention and management is recognized as crucial to remedy the regional health care crisis. Innovative plans to support health system change are sought to promote collaborative care and resource efficiency. The goal is improved chronic disease management and self-care promotion. The project plan was to foster knowledge transformation to enable point of care change by providing PAD/ABI workshops to primary care practice teams serving a low-income population. There are three project objectives: Innovation of primary care chronic disease management through ABI measurement, and PAD education presented in workshops. Participating sites were provided an ABI Tool Kit and clinical specialty support over a 3-month period to generate revenue and incorporate ABI measurement into their practice affording ABI Tool Kit purchase to sustain the practice change. The practice change is evidenced by ABI assessments during the 3-month post workshop interval and ABI Tool Kit procurement. Collaboration enhancement between primary care providers, and specialty clinicians to support PAD assessment and management within primary care. Collaboration was gained through post workshop survey to assess outcomes and evaluate the workshop. Resource efficiency enabled by inclusion of ABI assessment in primary care settings as a means of providing cost effective PAD care. The point of care change was evidenced by post workshop tally of ABI assessments with and end-point of medical management or appropriate timely specialty care referral.
