Lower the Pressure: Practice Assessment

Lower the Pressure: Practice Assessment
The American Heart Association is working to strengthen and expand our outpatient quality improvement efforts across New York State through the Lower the Pressure initiative, thank to the generous funding and support of the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation.

The purpose of this Practice Assessment is to better understand current activities and readiness level at your Health Care Organization (HCO) regarding:
- Hypertension-related healthcare quality improvement activities and resources
- Blood Pressure Self-Monitoring (SMBP) and/or Blood Pressure Loaner programs
- Other identified areas of need to help inform implementation
All completed Practice Assessments will be reviewed and you may be contacted for additional information as cohort selections are made. Completion of this Practice Assessment does not guarantee selection into the practice cohort, equipment, or financial support from the American Heart Association.
Healthcare Organization Information
Does your HCO diagnose and manage patients with hypertension, including prescribing and managing medications?*

YesNo
Only organizations directly diagnosing and managing hypertension are eligible to participate in the practice cohort. For more information or for how your organization can support the Lower the Pressure initiative, please reach out to diana.bridges@heart.org.
HCO Name*
Address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Primary Contact Name*

First NameLast Name
Primary Contact Title*
Primary Contact Email*
example@example.com
Primary Contact Phone*
Please enter a valid phone number.
Do you wish to add a secondary contact?

YesNo
Secondary Contact Name

First NameLast Name
Secondary Contact Title
Secondary Contact Email
example@example.com
Secondary Contact Phone
Please enter a valid phone number.
Does your HCO represent multiple care delivery sites?*

YesNo
How many?
Total adult primary care patient population (age 18-85) for your HCO: *
My HCO is a: (select all that apply)*

Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) or a FQHC Look-A-LikeCommunity Health Center, non-FQHCMulti-Specialty PracticePrimary Care PracticeResidency PracticeAcademic Medical CenterHealth Care SystemDesignated Rural PracticeDesignated Urban Practice
Outpatient Electronic Health Record (EHR) system platform:
I understand that if my HCO is selected to participate in the Lower the Pressure initiative that the primary contact (or a designee) will be expected to participate in regular check-in meetings with the American Heart Association staff and bi-annual statewide cohort meetings (virtual) through 2023:*

YesNo
Equipment and Materials
My HCO currently utilizes the following types of devices:
Automated Office BP Device (AOBP): An automated device that can be programmed to take multiple measurements without the individual measuring BP in the room.*

YesNo
Is this because you lack the equipment or resources?

YesNo
Semi-automated: An automated device that takes only one reading and requires the individual measuring BP to be in the room with patient during measurement.*

YesNo
Is this because you lack the equipment or resources?

YesNo
Aneroid or Manual (wall-mounted or hand-held):*

YesNo
Ambulatory BP Devices (ABPM): A portable monitor connected to a blood pressure cuff that automatically inflates at regular intervals and records many BP reading over a 24-hour period.*

YesNo
Is this because you lack the equipment or resources?

YesNo
In reviewing your current devices, what percent (estimation is ok) are validated devices? Please refer to the Validated Device Listing, www.validatebp.org.*
Please describe any blood pressure equipment needs your HCO has (including but not limited to office (AOBP), kiosk, ambulatory (ABPM), and semi-automated home devices for SMBP):*
Staff Knowledge and Skills
Does your HCO currently have a standardized policy in place for all staff who measure blood pressure or train staff to measure blood pressure, to complete a structured curriculum to enhance knowledge every 6-12 months?*

YesNo
Does your HCO currently have a standardized procedure to assess the competency of staff regarding proper blood pressure measurement techniques every 6-12 months?*

YesNo
System of Care
Blood Pressure Measurement Protocols:
My HCO uses a blood pressure measurement protocol to consistently obtain accurate BP measurements including confirmatory measurements through repeat in-office BP measurements*

YesNo
Last review of protocol was completed on (estimated year is ok):
My HCO uses a blood pressure measurement protocol for ambulatory blood pressure monitoring:*

YesNoN/A
Last review of protocol was completed on (estimated year is ok):
My HCO uses a blood pressure measurement protocol for home blood pressure monitoring with self-measured blood pressure when indicated.*

YesNoN/A
Last review of protocol was completed on (estimated year is ok):
Do you have an active SMBP program for your hypertensive patient population?*

YesNo
Please give a brief explanation of program and current needs:
How may SMBP Devices do you currently have?
Are your SMBP Device Bluetooth or Cellular enabled?

YesNo
Is your team utilizing a Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) vendor to assist in data transmission or collection?

YesNo
Which vendor are you working with?
How are you following up with patients?
Under what circumstances are the SMBP machines provided to patients?

They are loaned and patients are asked to return themThey are given to the patient at no charge and they do not need to be returnedI don’t know/I’m not sureOther
Does your HCO have an interest in starting one?

YesNo
Do your hypertensive patients receive standardized educational materials?*

YesNo
Additional Feedback for Lower the Pressure
How else can the American Heart Association support your outpatient quality improvement efforts?
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Lower the Pressure: Practice Assessment

Healthcare Organization Information

Equipment and Materials

Staff Knowledge and Skills

System of Care

Additional Feedback for Lower the Pressure