Team-Based Approach in Hypertension Management: A Quality Improvement Project.

Abstract

Hypertension is a major risk factor for heart diseases and stroke among Americans; only 25% have this under control nationwide. This quality improvement project evaluated the outcomes of team-based care in hypertension control by registered nurses and certified nurse practitioners in a primary care setting. Pre/post-data analysis of blood pressure (BP) control, and BP knowledge, was done. The team provided education and counseling based on knowledge assessment during visits and used unattended automated blood pressure measurement (uAOBPM) techniques to measure BP. There was a significant reduction in systolic and diastolic BP control ( P < .001). There was a statistically significant increase in disease knowledge score pre- and postintervention ( P < .001). The team-based care approach improved patients' BP control and knowledge of the disease. The uAOBPM technique could be incorporated into clinical settings for accurate BP measurements.