A Quality Improvement Project On The Introduction Of A Nurse-Led, Patient Self-Monitored Blood Pressure Telehealth Platform

• Published in: Age and ageing 2024-09, Vol.53 (Supplement_4)
• Main Authors: McCallion, Charlotte, Bowman, Mark
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Antihypertensives; Blood pressure; Health promotion; Hypertension; Interdisciplinary aspects; Ischemia; Medical diagnosis; Nurse led services; Patient information; Patients; Quality control; Quality improvement; Quality management; Quality of service; Reversible; Risk factors; Secondary prevention; Stroke; Telemedicine; Transient ischemic attack
• ISSN: 0002-0729; 1468-2834
• DOI: 10.1093/ageing/afae178.159

Abstract Background Telehealth is a strategy for health and wellbeing promotion. Hypertension is a modifiable risk factor in vascular health. Timely, reliable and accessible identification of this risk is important. Working within an interdisciplinary ambulatory neurovascular hub, a nurse-led model of service provided the opportunity to effectively identify and modify this risk through the secondary prevention measure of hypertension management. Methods An interdisciplinary neurovascular service quality improvement group, the “Stroke Big Room”, evaluated service models and telehealth platforms for patient-self monitoring of hypertension. The telehealth “Florence” platform was introduced. An accompanying Patient Information Leaflet was developed with the Communications Team within the Trust. Patients with a blood pressure of 130/80mmHg and a confirmed diagnosis of minor stroke or transient ischaemic attack were offered the “Flo” platform. Results A 20-patient sample found: 50% required no treatment change, 30% were commenced on antihypertensive treatment and 20% required antihypertensive dose increase. In the 2023/24 financial year, 285 patients participated in the Flo platform. Conclusion Timely identification and modification of hypertension is a reversible risk factor for neurovascular disease. A nurse-led service for the provision of, education on and support in use of a telehealth monitoring platform is an effective approach. This service model allows for effective secondary prevention treatment in a rapid and accessible way. The telehealth platform “Flo” was accessible to patients on the basis of patient reported outcome measures. As a result of the use of the platform, pharmacotherapeutic interventions occurred in 50% of participants in this telehealth programme.