A QI Approach to Lower Hypertension and Elevate Care in an Internal Medicine Residency Community Clinic

Figures

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  Visual Summary. Improving Hypertension Control Through Workflow Optimization and Education BP = blood pressure; PDSA = Plan-Do-Study-Act.

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  Figure 1. Patient-Facing Blood Pressure Rooming Checklist Blood pressure checklists were developed and placed on patient room computers for use in chronological order by medical assistants and nurses during the initial rooming portion of the office visit. BP = blood pressure.

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  Figure 2. Patient Rooming Process An established workflow was designed to facilitate proper communication during the rooming and vital sign check process. Medical assistants and nurses would use the visual aid of a red heart on the examination door if an initial blood pressure was elevated and then communicate with the physician. The visual aid reminded the physician to confirm the blood pressure measurement a second time during the encounter as they entered the patient room. BP = blood pressure; MA = medical assistant; RN = registered nurse.

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  Figure 3. Same-Day RN Hypertension Education Process This hypertension education process, implemented in cycle 3, was developed to aid in-office visit flow involving medical assistants and registered nurses. Doctors served as the initiators of the process. AHA = American Heart Association; OV = office visit; other abbreviations as in Figure 2.