{"title":"Improving Access to Home Blood Pressure Monitors at a Federally Qualified Health Center.","authors":"Isha Deshpande, Amrita Kanwar, Kendra Swyers, Aida Garza, Kathryn Litten","doi":"10.1177/87551225231156741","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background:</b> Self-monitoring of blood pressure (BP) clinically decreases BP. However, cost can limit access, especially in underserved populations. <b>Objective:</b> This mixed-methods pilot study aims to determine the impact of providing home BP monitors free of charge to patients at a federally qualified health center (FQHC) by quantifying the effect on BP and surveying patients to measure satisfaction and engagement. <b>Methods:</b> One hundred eighty patients with clinically diagnosed hypertension received BP monitors. Patient charts were reviewed to collect demographics and office BP readings 3 months before and after receiving a monitor. A 13-question phone survey was conducted to a sample of patients addressing satisfaction and engagement. Answers were based on a Likert scale and dichotomous yes/no. Results were analyzed with descriptive statistics and paired <i>t</i> tests. <b>Results:</b> The chart review demonstrated a significant mean decrease in systolic BP by 5.44 mm Hg (<i>P</i> < 0.001, -8.03 to -2.84) and a mean decrease in diastolic BP by 2.70 mm Hg (<i>P</i> < 0.001, -4.08 to -1.32) after the intervention. For those included who responded to the survey (13%), there was a significant mean increase in the frequency of checking BP per week by 1.5 Likert points (<i>P</i> < 0.00001, -1.0 to -1.9), and a majority (57.8%) felt slightly or much more active in their health care in addition to other benefits. <b>Conclusion:</b> Providing BP monitors to FQHC patients free of charge may have contributed to a significantly decreased office BP, improved engagement, and satisfaction. This program removed cost barriers and allowed patients to be more active in their health care.</p>","PeriodicalId":16796,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Pharmacy Technology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.1000,"publicationDate":"2023-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10084406/pdf/","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Journal of Pharmacy Technology","FirstCategoryId":"1085","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1177/87551225231156741","RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":null,"ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q4","JCRName":"PHARMACOLOGY & PHARMACY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Background: Self-monitoring of blood pressure (BP) clinically decreases BP. However, cost can limit access, especially in underserved populations. Objective: This mixed-methods pilot study aims to determine the impact of providing home BP monitors free of charge to patients at a federally qualified health center (FQHC) by quantifying the effect on BP and surveying patients to measure satisfaction and engagement. Methods: One hundred eighty patients with clinically diagnosed hypertension received BP monitors. Patient charts were reviewed to collect demographics and office BP readings 3 months before and after receiving a monitor. A 13-question phone survey was conducted to a sample of patients addressing satisfaction and engagement. Answers were based on a Likert scale and dichotomous yes/no. Results were analyzed with descriptive statistics and paired t tests. Results: The chart review demonstrated a significant mean decrease in systolic BP by 5.44 mm Hg (P < 0.001, -8.03 to -2.84) and a mean decrease in diastolic BP by 2.70 mm Hg (P < 0.001, -4.08 to -1.32) after the intervention. For those included who responded to the survey (13%), there was a significant mean increase in the frequency of checking BP per week by 1.5 Likert points (P < 0.00001, -1.0 to -1.9), and a majority (57.8%) felt slightly or much more active in their health care in addition to other benefits. Conclusion: Providing BP monitors to FQHC patients free of charge may have contributed to a significantly decreased office BP, improved engagement, and satisfaction. This program removed cost barriers and allowed patients to be more active in their health care.
期刊介绍:
For both pharmacists and technicians, jPT provides valuable information for those interested in the entire body of pharmacy practice. jPT covers new drugs, products, and equipment; therapeutic trends; organizational, legal, and educational activities; drug distribution and administration; and includes continuing education articles.