2026 Eastern States Conference

Title:
Improving SGLT2 inhibitor prescribing at discharge in patients with HFrEF

Authors:
Lotanna Ezeofor, PharmD; Stephie Ikama, PharmD Candidate; Pavel Goriacko, PharmD, MPH; Angela Cheng, PharmD, BCPS, FASHP

Objective:
To increase the rate of SGLT2 inhibitor prescriptions at hospital discharge to ≥70% among eligible patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction.

Self Assessment Question:
Which intervention is most effective in improving SGLT2 inhibitor prescribing at discharge for eligible patients with HFrEF?

Background:
Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors are guideline-directed medical therapy for HFrEF and have demonstrated reductions in mortality and heart failure hospitalizations. Despite increased inpatient initiation following formulary addition and electronic order set implementation, discharge prescribing remains suboptimal, highlighting a gap in transitions of care.

Methods:
This performance improvement project will use a Plan-Do-Study-Act framework at a large academic medical center. A retrospective chart review will identify eligible HFrEF patients and evaluate baseline discharge prescribing rates and barriers. Targeted interventions, including electronic medical record enhancements, provider education, and workflow modifications, will be implemented and assessed for their impact on prescribing rates.

Results:
Data collection and analysis are ongoing. We anticipate identifying key barriers to discharge prescribing and expect that implementation of targeted interventions will improve prescribing rates toward the institutional goal. Final results will be presented.

Conclusion:
This initiative aims to improve adherence to guideline-directed medical therapy at discharge and strengthen transitions of care. Findings may support scalable strategies to optimize SGLT2 inhibitor prescribing and improve outcomes in patients with HFrEF.