524 ACHIEVING THE BETTER BLOOD PRESSURE CONTROL TROUGH THE HOME BLOOD PRESSURE MEASUREMENT OF NURSE MONITORING

Abstract

Objective: To assess whether home blood pressure measurement which conducted by nurses can improve the hypertension control rates. Methods: Hypertensive patients from the out-patient section were evaluated initially byphysicians and conducted home blood pressure measurement by nurses. A treatment plan was designed and monitored by nurses. Patients were trained to use automated digital home BP monitor and requested to provide 42 BP readingsduring 12-month period. These values were reviewed by the physician-nurse team, and the treatment regimen was adjusted to achieve a goal BP of less than 135/85 mm Hg. Results: One hundred and six consecutively referred patients were enrolled in the study (mean ± SD age, 64 ± 14 years; 58% female; baseline BP, 156 ± 16/85 ± 11 mm Hg). Ninety-four patientssubmitted BP data after 1 month, and 78 patients completed the entire 12-month study period. Overall, mean BP decreased to 138 ± 17/78 ± 8 mm Hg at 1 month and 131 ± 9/75 ± 7 mm Hg at 12 months (P < .01 vs baseline). The percentage of patients who achieved BP control to less than 135/85 mm Hg increased from 0% at baseline to 63% at 12 months. Intensification of antihypertensive drug therapy was required, on average, in 24% of patients at each study interval. Conclusion: Home BP measurement managed by a physician-nurse team has the potential to improve long-term hypertension control rates in a geographically dispersed population. It could reduce both cost and inconvenience associated with the treatment of hypertension. Funding: The present study is supported by the Key Project of Science and Technology of TCM in Gansu Province, China(GZK-2010-Z1).