Increasing Follow-Up for Patients with Elevated Blood Pressure in Rural Primary Care Clinic
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Authors
Brouillette, Lynsey
Issue Date
2024-04-22
Volume
Issue
Type
Manuscript
Language
Keywords
Hypertension , Follow-Up
Alternative Title
Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this quality improvement project was to encourage lifestyle modifications and increase follow-up for patients with elevated blood pressure and stage 1 hypertension.
Background: Hypertension is a condition that can lead to organ damage and ultimately death if left undiagnosed and untreated. Modifiable risk factors for hypertension include eating a high sodium diet, smoking tobacco products, and living a sedentary lifestyle (Whelton et al., 2017). Current guidelines recommend close follow-up for patients with elevated blood pressure (Whelton et al., 2017).
Sample/Setting: The target population includes two providers and ancillary staff at a small family medicine clinic in rural Iowa.
Methods: During the rooming process of a scheduled office visit, patients with elevated blood pressure without a previous hypertension diagnosis were given a lifestyle questionnaire and written education regarding lifestyle modifications to improve blood pressure. Patents were then scheduled for a two week follow-up nurse visit. If blood pressure remained elevated at the nurse visit, patients were to be scheduled for a three month follow-up with their provider.
Results: Fourteen patients were included in the project. All 14 patients (100%) were given patient education and completed the lifestyle questionnaire. Ten of the 14 patients (71.4%) completed a two week follow-up appointment either with a nurse or the provider. At the two week nurse visit follow-up appointment, five patients (35.7%) reported they attempted lifestyle modifications following the initial visit. Five patients (35.7%) were scheduled for follow-up visit with provider within one to three months. Three of the 14 patients (21%) were given a new diagnosis of hypertension and started on anti-hypertensive medication after their two week follow-up visit.
Conclusion: Primary care providers can encourage patients with elevated blood pressure to make lifestyle changes and follow-up at short intervals to better treat elevated blood pressure.
Description
Citation
Publisher
Creighton University
License
Copyright is retained by the Author. A non-exclusive distribution right is granted to Creighton University