Abstract P167: Leveraging The Electronic Health Records System And Home Blood Pressure Monitoring To Optimize Blood Pressure Control

Abstract

Background: Home blood pressure monitoring (HBPM) devices can now be linked to electronic health records (EHR) systems in ways that could be used to facilitate blood pressure (BP) management; however, their potential feasibility and utility remain unclear. Methods: For our pilot study, we identified N=5 outpatients with uncontrolled hypertension and implemented use of a HBPM device with frequent monitoring and direct linkage to the EHR, whereby real-time data was made available to treating providers. We matched our intervention patients by age and sex with N=50 patients who also had uncontrolled hypertension and underwent standard-of-care treatment. We assessed change over time in BP measures for the intervention and standard-of-care groups. Results: In analyses accounting for differences in the timing and frequency of BP measurements, we observed that the intervention compared to the standard-of-care group had an average systolic BP at 8 weeks that was lower in percent change from baseline (β=-22 mm Hg, P=0.008). We also found a difference between baseline and 8-week systolic BP within the intervention group (mean difference -25.9 mm Hg, P=0.024). Conclusions: In our pilot, intensive remote HBPM appeared to improve BP levels over the short term. While unblinded and not controlled for factors beyond age and sex, this pilot demonstrates feasibility of an EHR-linked HBPM intervention and potential efficacy that may be related to increased patient as well as provider awareness translating to greater patient-provider engagement around hypertension management. More studies are needed to validate and expand from our findings.