Quality improvement program helps control BP in hypertension

A quality improvement program with evidence-based interventions resulted in better BP control among patients with hypertension, according to a study presented at the American Heart Association Council on Hypertension, AHA Council on Kidney in Cardiovascular Disease, American Society of Hypertension Joint Scientific Sessions.

Based on the AMA’s M.A.P. Framework, the AMA collaborated with the Care Coordination Institute Labs in Greenville, South Carolina, to create the M.A.P. hypertension improvement program, which stands for Measuring BP accurately, Acting rapidly to manage uncontrolled BP and Partnering with patients to promote BP self management.

“The goal of the M.A.P. is to make it easier for doctors and care teams to help people with hypertension effectively measure their blood pressure,” Michael K. Rakotz, MD, clinical assistant professor of family and community medicine at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and vice president of chronic disease prevention at the AMA in Chicago, said in a press release.

Rakotz and colleagues analyzed data from 21,035 patients with hypertension from 16 practices that utilized the MAP program. BP measurements were compared at baseline and at 6 months.

During the study, BP control increased from 65.6% to 74.8% (P < .001), and 12 practices had significant increases in BP control. Mean systolic and diastolic BP decreased from 149/85 mm Hg to 139/80 mm Hg in patients with uncontrolled BP at baseline (P < .001 for both).

Accurate BP measurements were attributed to a lower systolic BP of 12.8 mm Hg in patients with uncontrolled BP and a decrease of at least 6.5 mm Hg in each practice that instructed the team how to take accurate measurements. Automated office BP measurements decreased systolic BP by 8.6 mm Hg (P < .001).

“MAP’s evidence-based strategies offer an opportunity for primary care practices to work with patients to quickly improve blood pressure control, and the initiative goes hand-in-hand with national programs focused on reducing the burden of heart disease and stroke, including Target: BP,” Rakotz said. – by Darlene Dobkowski

Reference:

Egan B, et al. Presentation #93. Presented at: AHA Council on Hypertension, AHA Council on Kidney in Cardiovascular Disease, American Society of Hypertension Joint Scientific Sessions; Sept. 14-17, 2017; San Francisco.

Disclosures: Rakotz reports no relevant financial disclosures. Please see the abstract for all other authors’ relevant financial disclosures.