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.

Does your HCO diagnose and manage patients with hypertension, including prescribing and managing medications?

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.Format: (000) 000-0000.

Do you wish to add a secondary contact?

Secondary Contact Name

First NameLast Name

Secondary Contact Title

Secondary Contact Email

example@example.com

Secondary Contact Phone

Please enter a valid phone number.Format: (000) 000-0000.

Does your HCO represent multiple care delivery sites?

How many?

Total adult primary care patient population (age 18-85) for your HCO:

My HCO is a: (select all that apply)

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:

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.

Is this because you lack the equipment or resources?

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.

Is this because you lack the equipment or resources?

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

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.

Is this because you lack the equipment or resources?

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):

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?

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

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

Last review of protocol was completed on (estimated year is ok):

My HCO uses a blood pressure measurement protocol for ambulatory blood pressure monitoring:

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.

Last review of protocol was completed on (estimated year is ok):

Do you have an active SMBP program for your hypertensive patient population?

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?

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

Which vendor are you working with?

How are you following up with patients?

Under what circumstances are the SMBP machines provided to patients?

Other

Does your HCO have an interest in starting one?

Do your hypertensive patients receive standardized educational materials?

How else can the American Heart Association support your outpatient quality improvement efforts?

Lower the Pressure: Practice Assessment

Healthcare Organization Information

Equipment and Materials

Staff Knowledge and Skills

System of Care

Additional Feedback for Lower the Pressure